Pulse (Пульс)

WITH THE SUPPORT OF STATE FILM AGENCY AND MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF UKRAINE

"THE FIRST AND GREATEST VICTORY IS TO CONQUER YOURSELF" – CICERO

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO

Go!

Why are you so serious? One minute of embarrassment and you're home.

We are ready.

Julia, help me out!

Get set!

Go!

Oksana, thirteen and one.

You're one step closer to your dream today.

The Olympics are waiting.

-That's it for you though. -What? It's because of my knee.

Mend your knee then.

With such results I'm not going to take you to competitions in Ukraine.

So, tomorrow is an individual training, and you will rest.

-But it is my kne… -Enough.

But I…

You've become really bitchy.

Do I have to apologize?

You know what? You should train harder instead of eating at night.

-Are you going to the party? -Hey! Give it to me! Give it back!

Hey! What's going on here?

Stop her! The star fever blows her mind away!

You'd better think about your knees.

You're dead! Do you hear me?

Is that normal?

Vira, could you give me the dress, please?

Oksana, where have you been?

Come on, hurry!

Is it funny?

What?

All your life's been a mess thanks to your running.

How am I supposed to look people in the eye? It's such an embarrassment.

I think Oksana understands everything and she'll change.

Right, sweetheart?

Next time she'll go naked on stage.

And it is called exhibitionism, mom.

At the concert there were people from the Music College.

Mom, I'm going to quit cello, I'm sick of it.

You will always earn a living thanks to music. Always.

Mom, why are you so annoyed?

Because you don't realize that life's not that simple.

You know what, mother? Take care of yourself, please,

and I'll figure out what to do.

We understand everything. We used to do sport too.

-I know you want the best for me. -Dad, give me some bread.

Well, sport, it's great.

However, you're neglecting not only music but also school.

She lives in an imaginary world.

Imaginary?

Mother, do you know my sprint time at all?

You just don't get it.

Mom, I have a dream.

It's because the President provides Olympians with apartments in Kyiv.

-That's her real dream. -Shut up!

We understand everything. Everything!

Why can't you support me then?

Because, sweetheart, I'm well aware of how many athletes actually get medals,

and how many end up with broken lives.

Look at Olena, for instance.

She's a diligent student, she also takes additional classes.

She will enter the university.

Sorry I'm not Olena.

Where are you going?

Vira wrote me that I'd forgotten my sheet music at hers.

Check if you want.

-Hi. -Hey. Let's go.

Mother?

As always.

It's okay.

-Come here. -Max…

-But I've missed you so much… -Max.

Are you drunk?

-Everything's fine. -Max, I told you to stop!

-But everything's fine… -I told you to stop!

Hey… Oksana!

Wait!

What's the matter?

I'm not drunk, look.

Half a glass, it was my friend's birthday. So what?

Are you insane?

Insane? Okay, okay, how about this.

Let's forget about the car, we'll go for a walk. Okay?

Let's walk.

Are you crazy?

Well, I'm crazily in love with you.

Sure…

Max!

What's wrong?

We're going to Dnipro in a week. You and me.

Then there will be records, parties, interviews, cameras.

You and me, together.

Max.

Yes.

We'll get out of here, I promise.

Then what?

Then…

We'll go to the States, train there and earn a fortune.

Train there?

Listen,

she has a dream.

Let her train on Saturdays?

Sasha, I want our children to be happy.

Not like us.

When we were kicked out in the street after this sport.

Life's different now.

It's even harder.

That's why we need to guide them, so that they are happy.

Happiness is

when they create it themselves.

Here's the plan,

you will run on Sundays.

But promise me that you won't quit music.

Thanks, mommy.

I need a new Walkman then.

Nobody heard about the Walkman of course.

You will see, you'll be proud of me.

I won't forget these words.

Sweetheart… Sweetheart…

Mom…

Help!

Help!

Oksana, are you OK?

Doctor!

Doctor!

Everything will be alright.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart.

Good afternoon.

-Good day. -Good afternoon.

No-no-no. Easy-easy. You shouldn't make any quick moves.

Our task is to do some exercises for the optic nerve

and watch the dynamics.

Uh-huh?

Hello.

Hello.

Thanks.

Really beautiful.

How are you feeling?

Fine.

What are the doctors saying?

Will you come home soon?

There have been constant examinations, exercises so far.

Different eye drops and stuff.

But it's nothing serious, is it?

No.

Max.

What?

Thanks, I'm lucky to have you.

Well. Look.

Hmm. Good.

And now?

Do you feel any difference?

No.

You know, she's got some brain damage.

Everything's fine with her eyes.

There's a spike failure somewhere.

There's no need for Oksana to stay in the hospital,

you can take her home tomorrow.

In familiar surroundings it'll be easier for her to adjust.

-Adjust? -Yes.

She and her brain need to adjust to the new life.

But there must be another way.

Well, medicine nowadays is so… it's…

She won't be able to see as she did before.

And… What now?

Let me.

No worries.

Help.

Don't.

Sweetheart?

Don't, I can handle myself!

I brought you my Walkman.

Listen to some music, maybe?

Maybe you'll read me fairy tales too?

Dial Max for me, please.

Sure.

You understand that he doesn't return only your calls, right?

For the record, he's at the training camp.

Do you want to hear Max? Let's use my phone.

Hey!

Soon…

-Hello? -Who is it?

Hello?

Now, Oksana, let's come down first, OK?

The championship is near. I can't sit with you all the time.

With me all the time?

Max, are you out of your mind?

Who is it? Marik?

Screw you.

Oksana, jerk is a jerk even with his achievements in sport.

The national team of Australia took the first place at the Olympics.

Look at the board.

Good.

And now? Any difference?

No.

What if there is some additional research?

You see, atrophy of receptors is irreversible.

It's a great miracle she didn't lose her sight completely…