The Millennial Bee (Tisícročná včela)

Look at those bees.

They have been making honey for thousands years

to keep their species alive.

One bee dies, another takes its place.

They die because of frost, diseases and people.

But the hive lives on forever.

The Slovak Film Institute presents

THE MILLENNIAL BEE

Based on the novel by Peter Jaros

Story:

Starring:

I do not remember we have ever gathered honey in June.

We may have two crops as in the Nile valley.

A birthday present for you. The map of Europe.

Wow, Debrecen. And here, Venice.

I still long for journeys abroad.

Leave then as soon as possible.

The Paris Commune started a new era, with new countries,

old maps will not be valid.

On behalf of the firemen's guild let me wish you all the best.

The golden helmet will protect you from storms and fire.

From women's anger too?

There is no protection against that!

It is worse than fire and water together.

They are witches.

- No, Valent. - Do not be scared.

You do not love me.

Once you are a student you will forget about me!

I will not, if you are mine!

Oh my God, bees!

I love you all the same!

Look what you have done!

Dear friends, let me propose a toast to Martin, our master bricklayer,

who has travelled all over the world.

Bees!

We wish you all the best.

What is that?

Calm down, do not move!

They are but bees, they will not hurt you.

They will eat us alive!

I shall smoke the bees to death!

Who is the asshole who startled them?

Good afternoon, Father. Run away!

You will see what a son I shall give to Hungary!

Have a drink with me, Gersch!

I shall father three Hungarians! I can make you a Hungarian!

I doubt you can, I am a Jew.

I shall arrange it!

What kind of a Hungarian are you? Your father was a Slovak.

But I am a Hungarian! Give me the bottle!

You have one in Budapest.

One pen, one shepherd.

And an asshole with a sabre.

I shall get the bill through the Parliament

that those who refuse to be Hungarians

will be castrated!

What kind of a nonsense is that? You were not a bad pupil.

But you are a bad teacher.

Hungarian is the official language.

Fools make speeches, wise men love girls.

- You do look pretty. - It is still aching.

Why do you not speak our language?

Get out of the way!

Trying to sting a Hungarian nobleman,

you, the bee of Pichanda?

Let her be or I will kill you!

I shall have you all arrested!

Come on!

Watch out!

No!

Bees sting, Belan!

- I was stung by a bee yesterday. - Come on, Maria.

Kristina, where are you? Come to dance to the ballroom!

That is Matej. Speak to him at least.

He must not see me now!

Bloody bees!

The old wizard will stay in the pub till the morning.

He thinks he is still young!

I am closing.

Mr. Gersch!

I want to convert to your faith,

I will learn Hebrew and study the Talmud.

Jozef, one must not betray the faith of one's fathers.

One should keep it.

To hell with your fathers' faith.

You worship Yahve, you Virgin Mary.

And I, as people say, the whale.

Call Marta, please.

A farewell dance for Jozef. A sad song.

He is joining us.

I would like to be a Jew.

And I a Christian.

Golden rain.

Yellow rain.

Pink.

And now green. Why not frogs?

Frogs, a French delicacy.

On June 20, 1896

I celebrated my sixty.

But I feel strong.

I still have the same thoughts

as forty years ago.

I even see similar signs.

When I went to work abroad for the first time

and saw mushrooms sticking out of snow.

I started to pick them up

and then I met Zelka.

Have you forgotten me, Martin?

No, I have not, Zelka.

Let us play cards.

I cannot. I must go to Debrecen.

We used to see each other more often.

You are still pretty.

What is that? What is going on?

The fish has closed its mouth.

- What fish? - A whale.

- Stop lying! - You lied to me.

You married a richer girl.

Randomize them.

- What is going on? - Do not worry.

When the fish opens its mouth we shall run out.

Meanwhile, we can drink, eat

and play cards.

In good humour and Christian understanding, Zelka and I spent

four days inside the whale.

I will not let you go!

I will come back, do not worry.

I will bring you such a scarf that will attract bees.

No, no bees. Birds and butterflies instead.

I know what is pulling you.

You'd better think of the grave

and eternal salvation.

And what else?

Mother, what is the matter?

Scissors!

Open your mouth!

Hold her head!

Here is the bastard.

God warned us.

He sometimes punishes even the just ones.

Fish... What does that mean?

Women, perhaps? That could be.

Welcome, Martin.

I was dreaming about you.

About the time when we were very young.

Do you remember?

- What? - Oh, nothing.

You are still attractive.

and I am...

You wanton old devil!

Are you looking for a lover?

I have been atoning for our sin all my life,

but now you, old goat, want to tempt me again?

Just let us have a talk.

Do not be angry.

How about a game of cards?

Do you have a pack?

On St. Peter and Paul's Day grass needs mowing

so we, the bricklayers, become farmers for a while again.

The men go to meadows to mow all the days.

Forgive me.

Women at home go to beds late and get up early.

They bring meal to the mowers.

The men are sweaty, tired, in need of a shave.

The women are affectionate then.

Kristina, does your mother keeps an eye on you?

I do it myself!

- Stop! Give me a kiss. - After the wedding.

- Give me your hand. - On the wedding day.

- Then beat me. - After the wedding.

Now. I cannot stand it anymore.

My dumplings!

Look what you have done!

We can clean them.

What turmoil was it in the pub?

As if you wanted a war against the emperor.

Against monkeys, perhaps.

I read that the English claim two African islands.

Pemba and Zanzibar.

They are very small.

Perhaps there will be war.

Because of the two islands?

Africa might be the reason.

Africa means wealth.

Did you cook this, Kristina?

She will learn when she marries.

Our wine has always been fine. Young women, old wine.

I hear you are going to study in Prague, Valent.

He would like to be a lawyer.

During holidays you could teach my daughter German.

- Do you agree, Martin? - He can decide himself.

I do not teach young ladies.

I will pay you.

The young Pichanda is here.

Welcome, Valent.

Leave us alone, Mother.

- Are you in love? - No, I am not.

- And you? - Me either.

But I would like to be.

- The textbooks? - Will these do?