Stork of Hope

Yes? I'm listening.

It's me.

What?

But, but that can't be.

So many years have passed.

- Are you all right? - Yes.

Can I help you with something?

No thanks.

The day has come... I knew it. I knew it. I knew...

Ilya!

Ilya, leave the tablet alone. Sasha, stop, you'll play later.

David, we are waiting only for you.

Good morning everybody.

David, by God, you are like a kid. Sit down.

I don't have time, I'm already late. Start without me.

As usual, everything at the last minute.

Sophia, why did you put me a sweater and a scarf?

This is a business trip to Europe, not to the North Pole.

Don't argue.

Okay, you're the boss. How is your dad feeling?

I'm worried about him.

Understandable, after such an incident...

Dad, how long are you going for?

Five days.

Promise me not to misbehave, do not quarrel with your brother.

Help around the house and listen to your mother.

Yes, sir!

Stanislav, if you need something, call me.

Ilya, didn't you hear me?

Sasha, that's enough, you'll play later.

Take care, have a nice week! Love you!

Goodbye.

Bye, I love you.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,

who brings forth bread from the earth.

Amen.

Ilya, fold it because I can't.

I cannot either, ask grandfather.

Grandpa...

Bring me. Let's get it fixed.

Here, good as new.

It's ready to take off.

Wow!

Bon appetit.

Dad, try to calm down.

You have been stressed for four days now.

You are silent, do not eat, constantly check your phone.

I am waiting for an important call.

They promised me.

If they promised, then they will call back.

Please eat.

I have no appetite today.

The Ukrainian side is paying a high price

for the war... human lives are being lost.

First, Putin is obsessed with the idea of taking over Ukraine.

Secondly...

What happened?

Is someone going to tell me, or, it's none of my business?

What secrets can I have from my family?

I understand that you are... grown-ups now,

and it's about time to tell you everything.

Sweethearts

it's a very important day for Grandpa, so show some empathy, okay?

What he will tell you now is very emotional for him.

I've kept it all my life.

This is the most precious thing that remains of my childhood.

What is it?

This is a stork. It's a bird.

From Belarus, my homeland.

And who is this?

This... is my dad.

And Sasha, my little brother.

Before WW2, we lived in Minsk.

We were... a very close-knit family.

Me, my brother Sasha, dad and mom...

Great! One second, young man! Stand closer to your mother.

You, please, madam, put your hand right here.

And who is this? It's a sailor!

The back is straight, the hands are like this, the head, and look here.

Yes? Don't move.

I assure you, this will be the best photo of your life.

But once my dad had to leave for military training,

and we were very worried about him.

Especially our mom.

Everything will be ready tomorrow.

I see you are a military man, maybe you heard something?

About the start of the war?

Terrible things are said to be happening in Krakow.

I'm a doctor, and I know no more than you.

I see. Some say there will be a war

others say no.

Who to believe?

All the best, goodbye.

Let me walk you out.

Dad, when you coming back?

Soon. I'll be back before you can blink.

Will you bring us a helmet? The pilot's one.

Yes, Vovka has one, but we don't.

I'll definitely bring it. Come here to me!

I got a mission for you. Important. For real men.

What?

You are in charge while I am gone.

It is necessary that you listen to your mother and take care of her, agreed?

Of course!

Agreed.

And no fighting!

We promise.

Well, that's good.

Here. Barely found.

Please calm down, love.

I will get everything there, why do I need these socks?

It's not protocol.

Your protocol can handle it, you must take them.

It's time.

Stop, stop it, no need to cry.

Calm down, darling, come on.

I'm going to Brest – it's not far and not for long.

I love you very much.

I love you, to the moon and back.

We love you too.

It's time.

Take care of yourself.

Mom, why are you crying?

It's nothing. Everything will be fine.

Those were the last quiet days.

No one knew

that soon our lives would change forever,

and things... will never be like before.

Dad, dad, come back! Dad, wait! Daddy. Daddy!

Dad, don't go!

Dad! Dad!

Stop.

Dad, please don't leave. We don't need any helmet, just stay.

Papa, let's go home.

What are you talking about.

My loves, I... I will be right back.

Horse sat on the balcony, drank tea, broke cups, spoke Turkish.

Chabi, chalabi, chalabi, chabi, chabi!

We filled our mouths with water and told everyone to freeze!

- I love you very much. - We love you too.

Take care of them.

Dad left. And we never saw him again.

Many years later...

I learned that he had died...

Many years later... I learned that he had died

in the first days of the war.

How old were you?

I was twelve.

And my younger brother, Sasha, was eight.

He was funny. I loved him very much.

I don't get it, show me one more time.

Okay, look.

You take these corners, like this, then you bend.

Then it is to the middle, in half, like this.

And wings.

Ready.

In the first days of the war

our beloved city was almost destroyed.

The Germans came, and immediately introduced their own rules.

Put it aside. It's time to eat. Sasha, sit down.

Well, now I'll forget again.

Nothing happened, just finish it later.

Ugh, I don't want soup. There's onions floating there.

Yes, mom, I don't like onions either.

You need to eat, how will you grow up if you don't eat anything?

I don't want a soup.

You are not getting up from the table until you finish your meals.

And no games, did you hear me?

Open up, police!

Open up, I said!

Can't you hear?

- Who's there? - Hey, what are you doing?

Enough!

Uncle, give me this toy, this is my toy.

Don't be afraid, little Jew.

Present your documents.

One second.

Who else lives in this apartment?

Nobody else.

Where is your husband?

They took him to the front. He is a doctor.

By order of the German command,

all persons of Jewish nationality must wear a yellow star on their clothes.

Explain to her.

You are obliged to appear at the commandant's office with documents.

You can have luggage, no more than 20 kg,

and a two–day supply of food.

Do you understand?

Whoever doesn't listen will be severely punished.

Is that clear?

Yes.

You must make the stars yourself and sew on clothes

so that they are visible.

Mom, they killed him!

On that day... for the first time,

I saw death with my own eyes.

My brother and I did not understand

why this terrible man killed the poor dog.

Grandpa, what happened next?

Then, we packed our bags.