Ether (Eter)

A Krzysztof Zanussi film.

ETHER

PODOLIA, FORMER POLISH COMMONWEALTH, NOW PART OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE 1912

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…

What didn’t you mean to do?

A dead one? You can bury it.

I’m sorry.

The doctor’s killed the young lady!

The doctor’s killed the young lady!

The court finds the defendant

guilty of premeditated murder,

whilst abusing his position of trust as a doctor,

and decides to impose the maximum sentence.

If it’s a priest, it won’t be necessary... I’m not a believer.

His Majesty has pardoned you,

and commuted your death

penalty to exile to Siberia.

Starring.

Production Designer Director of Photography.

Written and Directed by.

THE KNOWN STORY

GALICIA, FORMER POLISH COMMONWEALTH, NOW PART OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN 1912

All of my papers were reissued by the court.

After everything that happened,

applying to the Russian courts was not an option.

Your whole past, that is the exile to Siberia

and then the flight across Manchuria, right?

Right.

- What was the reason for your exile? - The Hippocratic Oath.

I helped all who needed help, regardless of their political beliefs.

It was a matter of conscience.

Working as a garrison physician,

you’ll have no reason to invoke your conscience.

Let’s leave that to the idealists.

Here you’ll be given orders which you’ll carry out, no matter what.

Some of your duties will include activities that would not appeal to the idealists.

You’ll have to attend interrogations and executions.

You’ll also be responsible

for overseeing

our brothel.

To sweeten the pill.

I’m used to bitter pills.

Whatever you decide.

Just give me a little freedom

to do my research.

And what, if I may ask, is your research about?

Ether.

It’s a substance diffused throughout the entire universe.

It takes away one’s consciousness, and therefore one’s free will.

But it also takes away pain.

To me it’s the quintessence of power.

And we still know so little about it.

The quinta essentia.

That sounds promising.

Your predecessor would examine the girls once a month.

It’s going to be once a week now.

And if you want to use our services

you’re welcome, free of charge. Other officers always have to pay.

Thank you.

Once a week, that’s quite a commitment.

Whatever it takes to prevent problems like the lieutenant’s.

I beg your pardon?!

He must’ve caught it someplace else.

I don’t know how it happened, doctor…

What’s happened has happened… Let’s face it?

Trousers down and I’ll see what can be done.

I should be on my way home, to Podolia, because I’m getting engaged…

And this nasty thing crops up.

You’re right, quite nasty indeed.

But it isn’t a hopeless case.

Yes, sir!

Congratulations, you’re a now a subject of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria.

But let me remind you of your special duties as a military man,

especially that you came here as a subject of the Tsar.

You must prove yourself worthy of our government’s trust.

I’ll prove it with my loyal service

and also by conducting research that our military may find useful.

Provided I get the necessary funds.

I’m aware of the limitations, of course.

Especially now that relations between the two empires are tense.

I do have some money of my own.

Please, bear in mind, though,

that your first responsibility here is to your patients.

Research comes second.

Absolutely.

Well…

This time you were lucky.

But next time…

Next time?

I’ll never do such a stupid thing again.

Why don’t you come to see us in Podolia, doctor?

For my wedding.

With your Austrian passport

you’ll have no problems at the border now.

Podolia…

Your invitation sounds tempting.

Is your fiancée Polish?

Partly.

Her grandma was. The parents are Russian.

Many philosophers claim that science will accomplish what no religion has.

Christianity is no exception.

Science

will make mankind happy.

Our lives have changed, have they not? We’re wealthier, better educated.

War, hunger and plague no longer loom so large.

But war is imminent, isn’t it?

And it’s been a lean year.

And please leave our sacred religion alone.

Your opinions are familiar.

I think we’ve met.

Are you from this parts?

You’ve mistaken me for someone else.

Excuse me, gentlemen.

I’ll need to ask for the doctor’s urgent assistance.

One of the peasants is very sick.

Please, do something, doctor!

I’ll try. Excuse me.

Do you have relatives here?

Are you local?

No.

Is father going to die?

We’re hired hands,

they’ll throw us out.

If you make it across the border,

you’ll find me in this citadel.

Ask for me and they’ll let you in.

Doctor!

We have no money for the funeral.

If you bring his body along,

you’ll get paid.

It’s not life-threatening. He can be interrogated.

That gas works as an anaesthetic.

No need.

At this point it’s obvious that he was a spy.

BORDER BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE AND THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE.

Are you expecting any guests?

Not that I recall.

I have no family here, no acquaintances yet, either.

So you’re not expecting visitors?

No.

I showed him the way. He’s from the Russian side.

You tried to save his dying father. His mother took her own life.

The boy says that the doctor promised to help him.

Can I leave him with you? I have important business to take care of.

The regulations require that every visit has to be reported.

The situation is tense, we must be vigilant.

Your presence will be required at tomorrow’s execution.

He pleaded guilty. He was sent here to photograph our constructions.

All right, you’re dismissed.

If the boy’s to stay here, you’ll be personally responsible for him.

Yes, sir.

If there’s nothing I can do here, I’d better go.

I could work,

do anything you tell me to.

I won’t let you down.

What exactly do you want in life?

If it was up to me.

I’d like to study.

What for?

To be like you.

Those who study want to know.

- Exactly. I want to know. - Know what?

- Everything. - Everything?

What the world is like. What life is…

You’ll get your first lesson tomorrow.

You said that the army would pay for my father’s body.

You brought it?

Your tears won’t help him.

You’ll get the money

as soon as it comes from Vienna.

What about the funeral?

Why worry?

On Judgement Day your father will rise from the dead.

Like all of us.

We could do with your gas now.

No pain, no fear.

Further research, with your go-ahead, would be very helpful.

Why don’t we discuss it in detail?

Maybe in your other workplace?

I’m not a frequent patron, but on a day like this…

We’re leaving him like that?

Until the body’s cold. Then we’ll get him for our research.

- How can he be useful? - You’d be surprised.

- What about my father’s body? - You sold it, didn’t you?

But you said…

Don’t worry. You did the right thing.

Do you believe that the soul is immortal?

So is the body, you’ll see.

Look how they aimed.

Only one hit the heart.

They do it on purpose, to avoid a guilty conscience.

Sometimes all of them miss.

What happens then?

An officer will do it and the squad will be punished.

Watch him, not me.

See what science is capable of?

We’re one step away from resurrection.

It’s wonderful what you say. But also horrifying.

It is. Life is horrifying.

So is science.