Austeria

The Film Unit "KADR"

presents

the film by

based on the novel by

AUSTERIA

Screenplay:

Starring :

Production management:

Photography:

Directed by:

the first day of the war

Don't get off! We're moving on right away.

Welcome, Mr. Tag.

Where are you going and what are you taking along?

One Jew, two Jews, it's all right. But how come there are so many?

Why are you laughing, are you mad?

Dad, we can't stay here. We're running out of time.

We're moving on? Maybe he needs anything?

There will be no more chance to stop in this heat.

Come over here!

All right, all right. Only make it quick!

What's going on?

I am thirsty.

Why are you getting off? Don't get off!

Don't get off! Now, now, drink up and we're off.

Give him milk.

We'll get off only for a minute. .

Don't get off! God forbid !

Come sonny, come.

You'll have something to eat now. He doesn't want to eat.

You've had it, we're moving off. Let's be on our way!

Hup! Hup!

All ready?

May he grow in good health.

Asta,! it is your birthday.

Look at those tyrants! . . . They are my parents!

They refuse to sanction our marriage because you are poor.

Yet I love you madly and I'll never cease.

Alfred ! My Alfred !

We have no other choice but death!

God ! How terrible! How miserable I am!

We'll die together today.

This is poison. We'll take it. . . I first!

No! I first. I beg of you, give me this vial with poison.

No, I will go first.

Take it!

Let my mother find our bodies when it's too late. . . too late. . .

it burns, Alfred ! The poison is burning my insides.

Stay brave till the end.

God, why did I let you take your life?

I beg you, save yourself! it is too late for me.

I feel the kiss of death on my lips.

I love you. My gallant knight.

I beg you, save yourself. Save yourself!

I love you !

What is this supposed to mean?!?

Stop it! There are mothers with children present!

it's a scandal !

it is just an amateur performance.

Children, we're going home.

Curtain! Quiet, please! Nothing has happened. Quiet please.

I, as the director of this play. . .

I can't take it any more. My feet are sore.

I told you the new shoes would pinch.

You should've taken the old ones.

How far can you walk on foot in a day?

What's the purpose of this wandering?

Since times immemorial there has never been anything like this.

in a real war the two armies go to battle.

They decide: we shall fight here, off the town.

The armies take positions. . . with cannons, munitions, infantry. . .

The generals are located on nearby hills.

When the enemy dispatches its left flank, it is countered with the right.

And right must be countered with left. But not like this?!

To overrun the town without even knocking on the door.

it's bad manners!

Are you surprised?

Who starts a war wants it end as soon as possible in his victory.

Our emperor is the same.

I admit I know nothing about flanks. I am not Hoetzendorf.

it's immaterial, Mr. Apfelbaum!

Apfelgrun.

My apologies, Mr. Apfelgrun.

You must, however, admit that the enemy is in a hurry, it's true.

But why is the tsar in a hurry?

The simple answer is that he has to!

What are we waiting for?

Either we go back home, or we move on!

I'm fed up with these speeches!

Mum is right. Let's go.

Stay away of this. We'll be gone presently.

Asia, let's go.

Mr. Apfelgrun, what was I saying?

Mom, why do we have to go?

. . .I got it. I was talking about ammunition.

Do Russians have enough ammunition?

My sources claim this war will be fought with bayonets.

The important things is that the enemy is in a hurry.

I have already escaped once with my family. From a pogrom.

But here is Austria, not Kishinev.

Thank God, pogroms will not happen here as long as the emperor reigns.

Every Jew wishes him a long life in good health.

it is a pity only that he is not a Jew himself.

Maybe for better, if he were a Jew, he might not admit the connection.

it's enough that his heart is Jewish.

A Jewish heart!

What do I care about the emperor?

God support, God protect the emperor. . .

Only a man with no views who doesn't read papers can speak like this.

One can never tell who holds more views.

A minimum of class is the first requirement.

A man should be a man, first of all.

it's not that stupid, Mr. Gershon.

My words exactly. Humanity above all !

And accord !

As the proverb goes: concord builds discord ruins.

How right you are, Mr. Socialist.

if you want to win a war you must have concord first.

The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed because of discord. . .

Well, I didn't start this. . .

We need concord to win the war.

We must win it not only for the emperor, but for ourselves, too.

Let's clean up the mugs.

They will be here soon.

What "they"? What are you talking about?

The Cossacks! They will take our cows, everything !

Let's run away. Lolka is already 13. Let's don't forget it.

Grandpa, everybody is running away. Let's join them.

You should know Grandpa. Come, at least get changed.

The Cossacks are already in the wood.

Why aren't you running away Tag?

Where to, lady baroness?

Get in. Quick.

if a man is not safe in his own bed, then where will he be?

Among strangers?

This is not a good time for philosophy.

They will be here any time.

Yevdokha, go to the barn now.

You old devil !

The wandering and escape began, it won't end soon.

When is this to end? is this why you chose us, God? Thank you.

Had our forefather Abraham not begun his wanderings,

it'd have saved us quite a few kilometers during all years.

How many volumes has history filled? Six? Seven?

What now?

Jump into the cellar.

We won't jump anywhere.

Why?

They will ask for vodka first. And they will find the cellar.

Mom is right.

The first night is the worst. I will hide you in the cellar.

Rest assured I will not let them in there.

Where are the women? Escaped. Why? I am also wondering why.

Because they are stupid !

Stupid ! Stupid ! That is all we ever hear.

What a time for migraine. Lolka, my drops.

No, wait, I'll fetch them myself.

What is going on?

Come in the kitchen.

I'll close the trap-door and cover it.

They are here.

Open door! Open window! Now!

They speak German without the articles?

They pretend to be our boys.

Don't open the window!

No fear!

Are you Cossacks?

No, Hungarian.

My God, they are our troops!

Grandpa, open up!

You should have told so at once.

Call in the others! Come in!

Where are Russians?

You are still looking for them?

Me and my comrades. Lost our regiment.

Understand or not understand?

Understand !

They lost their regiment of hussars.

How can this be?

it just can. This is war. it isn't this officer's fault.

My apologies, don't take offense.

Offense? What a nice start to the war!

How many regiments will the emperor lose?

Away from the window!

istvan!

Cossacks!

Mr. Honved, we have already won the war.

You are standing here, Mr. Honved, as if you have fired a shot.

Let's light the lamp.

Lolka, get me the kerchief from the hook.

it's Yevdokha's.

Never mind. Light at night draws people in.

We'll pretend we are away.

When a fool closes his eyes, he thinks he is invisible.

Sit down, Mr. Honved.

My God, you know the secrets of the world.

You know all the hidden secrets of all the living. My Lord.

What is your name?

Yevdokha.

Where are you from?