Under the Grey Sky (Pod szarym niebem)

Inspired by true events

UNDER THE GREY SKY

Stop here for a second.

- Hi! - Hi!

Hello.

Want to put that in the trunk?

No, thanks.

Keep driving, to Chervyakova 62.

Hi, it's Lena Antonava.

- Set the bit rate. - Looking good?

Nice. Microphone?

One, two... One, two, three...

- Okay. Let's get started! - OK

- Olya, first a wide shot, then zoom in. - Okay!

Just keep it steady.

All set.

Three... Two... Live.

Hello! We're now at the Square of Change in Minsk.

Several thousand people have gathered here so far.

People bring flowers and candles to commemorate Raman Bandarenka.

We see a white-red-white flag, saying "Murdered for ribbons."

3 days ago at this very spot Raman tried to stop plainclothes policemen

from ripping the white-red-white ribbons off the fence.

They brutally arrested him.

Several hours later, Raman was taken to the hospital, badly beaten.

He died the next day without regaining consciousness.

People keep coming. Now they fill not only the yard but the roadway as well.

Traffic is blocked.

Protesters are chanting "Long live Belarus", "Tribunal",

but most often we can hear "We won't forget! We won't forgive!".

Raman's death caused a new wave of outrage

against the riot police's violence.

Since the protests began against the rigged presidential elections in Belarus,

riot police have killed at least 3 protesters.

People are waving flags and posters that say "We won't forget! We won't forgive!"

People do not intend to forgive the brutal murder of Raman Bandarenka.

Today is the 99th day of protests, and...

- What happened? - A drone flew up to the window.

Did you see it?

Not clearly. The cops are probably searching for the broadcast location.

Did it see you?

I'm not sure.

Pause the broadcast. I'll assess our options.

Sit tight. I'll be in touch.

- Is something wrong? - They might have spotted us with a drone.

Wait! Don't go out!

I haven't smoked for 3 years and here we go again.

Can I have one?

Thanks for letting us be here.

You're welcome.

Hey.

I've found another apartment. Pack up.

Hold on...

Riot police are here. They'll put it down. Is your option fit for work?

No windows facing the courtyard. But if you want to leave, you must go now!

Is anyone else broadcasting this?

No one, but we have 500,000 viewers!

It's up to you.

Get ready to go live.

Stay away from windows. Don't turn on the light.

Olya, zoom in as much as possible so they can't see which floor we're on.

- Set! - Live!

We're back from the Square of Changes.

Riot police are quashing the protest.

The police are throwing stun grenades right into the crowd.

People are moving away from the road.

Another column of policemen is approaching.

They are lining up in front of the crowd.

It looks like the police are determined to suppress the protest.

But look...

Look! No one is running away!

Despite the shelling and riot police brutality, people are not running away.

They are lining up in a chain opposite the armed police...

I'm wrapping up. Just a minute.

The police are dragging people away.

But people have formed human chains to make it harder for the police.

Lena, we've lost the signal! Can you hear me?

The landline Internet has been cut off. Can you hear me? Hello?

Our neighbors have texted that

the police are going door-to-door and checking passports.

Let's calm down and just sit quietly.

Olya, delete your messages and anything else suspicious. You too.

Let's clean our phones.

Let's delete everything. Just in case.

- In case of what? - As a precaution.

Are you crazy? As a precaution from what?!

We have a 5-year-old child! Are you insane?!

- I know, but what can I do? - Well, do something!

Where's your phone?

Our kid is only five! We have a child here!

What do you propose?!

- Something! - What?

We'll leave as soon as they end the blockade.

Can I have your phone?

I don't have Internet either...

I need to make a call.

Thanks.

Open up! Now!

Hello?

- It's me. I think they'll arrest us. - Sweetheart, what?!

They've knocked down a door above us...

Baby, what is...

Call the office... Can you hear me? Call and say...

Lena! Lena!

- Hello? - Lena has been arrested.

Call around to each police station again.

He called me around noon from Pushkinsaya...

I didn't understand what he was saying...

What are you doing? They'll arrest you too!

Wait. Wait.

Then I heard him screaming and that's it.

Screams... Have you checked the hospitals?

- Rybakou? - Rybakou.

He's not on this list. But that doesn't mean anything.

We must wait for an update.

What about Antonava? Lena Antonava.

I don't have her either.

Quiet! Calm down! You won't hear anything! Jesus!

Abramava Natalya

Aliakseichyk Ivan

Antonava Elena

Asipovich Liudmila

Bakvalau Kanstantsin

Vardametskaya Iryna

Are you sure you want to be alone tonight? Maybe I could...

I'm sure. From tomorrow morning, I'll have to... I'll go to bed quickly.

Keep driving.

I'll be right back.

Here you go.

- The code is 207606. - Thanks.

The toilet is back there.

They definitely won't find any papers connecting you to that place.

The neighbours only come here during summer. So no worries.

My mother-in-law refilled the gas cylinder 2 month ago, so the kitchen should work.

You make tea and I'll get some firewood.

Is the signal here always so bad?

It depends...

The reception is better by that window.

We'll sleep by the stove.

Feels like grandpa's village, right?

Go home.

Honestly, you can't help me here.

You'll have to prepare a package in the morning, then go to the court...

Go.

Call me if you need anything. I'm "Dad" in the contacts.

Check.

Let's start over.

It's time for us to leave, Lena.

Make your move, Ilya.

We knew it might come to this.

They will silence the protests any day now.

Why do you think so?

Because I'm realistic.

The night is darkest just before the dawn.

You got no material the last time, Lena.

Because we were running from shelling.

That's what I'm talking about.

It's time to leave.

Come on, there was always a risk.

Should I quit my job now, or what?

I'm not telling you to quit your job. I don't want to quit my job either.

It's becoming impossible to work here. If we leave, we could still do something.

What the hell are you talking about?

We've been in stagnation for years!

Now, when our work can finally make a real difference,

you're telling me to flee the country.

That's cowardice!

And what you're doing is stupidity, Lena!

- Are you serious now? - Yes.

- You really think so? - Yes.

- Well thank you! - My pleasure!

What else should I call it? You take risks and get no results.

Now everything is about that one failed live-stream!

Hundreds of thousands of people watch me!

Hundreds of thousands watch my reports!

They do!

But do you even understand the risk?!

- You're exaggerating. - I'm not!

I'm terrified for you, Lena! Every single day!

Once you were proud of me.

I am proud of you. But...

Go ahead, pick it up.

Hello?

No.

Raman Bandarenka died.

- Hello? - Hi!

- Hello? I can't hear you. Hello? Hello? - Hello, can you hear me?

- Hello! Hello! - I can hear you! Hi.

Hi! It could have been worse. She only got 7 days imprisonment.

I've collected all of the papers. You can leave as soon as Lena gets out.

Alright. Thank you. Bye.

- Ilya!I Ilya! - Lena! Lenka!

What are you doing?!

I saw her! I saw her!

No surprises. Article 342 - mass riots.

Interestingly, they found a victim.

"Group actions that grossly violated public order,

resulted in the disruption of public transport,

particularly the operation of 13 bus lines, 3 trolleybuses and 3 tram routes,

which caused damage valued at 11,562 rubles and 14 cents."