Eva Szalanczky?
Another Way
Gently
- Did your husband find you? - Yes
I hear your husband's unwell. He's unwilling to eat the prison food
And then there's the prosecutor...
...who keeps harping on a certain delicate matter
Donci keeps silent, but it's difficult to keep it secret
Oh, yes. They got away with it
Eva died, Donci's in prison and I'm staring at this rotten sunset
I'd sooner they'd killed each other
You're clever, a Party member for a century, Comrade Erdos
What can you do now?
Listen, Livia
Get used to the idea that you won't be able to live as you used to
Eva's dead. You can't live with your husband any more
You've changed, too
In a couple of years Donci will be released and Eva will be a legend
A heroine who committed suicide. A martyr
She hurled herself against the barbed wire, as she couldn't bear lies
It's only me who's rotting alive
My heart is broken
That's what hearts are for, Livia
I'm not old. I wanted to have a child
Who'll give me a child now?
What are you doing? Where are you taking me?
Pushing me aside like a sack? Leave me alone
Leave me alone! I've gone mad. I'm not normal
My brain will burst if someone grabs me and shoves me aside once again
Go out for a moment, will you?
I'll be calmer in a minute
But don't go away! Nurse, don't let him go away
I've got to talk to Comrade Erdos. It's important
My drawer is full of her letters
She threatened me. She pleaded with me. She gave me up
In the end she tried to commit suicide
It's strange, she wanted to kill me...
...and she died
I'm still alive
"The honey-cake, the walnut...
"...the aubergine"
What's become of us?
What's going to happen to us, Eva?
Third floor? Same as me
Excuse me
Tell me something about yourself
Fiala praises you to heaven, but our journal deals with earthly matters
I'm a peasant girl who was told in 1945, "Study hard...
"...and you can become a minister"
Study, study, study
And what's become of you?
Nothing. I'm a nonentity
- You're out of work? - I'm refused work everywhere
On what grounds?
Have you read my stuff?
"'The Joke'
"An early afternoon train
"Outside it's drizzling, the sun is playing hide-and-seek
"1955
"Seated opposite me...
"...is a man with a big nose and mocking eyes. He keeps dozing off
"Suddenly he wakes with a start
"Grabbing his things, he's about to jump from the moving train
"'You'll break your neck,' I say. 'What's the next stop? ' he says
"'Balatonlelle'
"'Would you like to hear a story till we get there? ' he says
"'Why not? ' I say
"'Well, a chap's been in solitary confinement for a year
"'The cell door opens and in comes a lanky, bald man...
"'... dressed all in black
"'I'm the executioner,' he says
"'Oh, so you're the hangman,' says the chap
"'That's the common word for it,' says the man in black
"'I'm going to hang you tomorrow. What do you want for your last meal? '
"Well, the chap orders the meal...
"...and asks for pen and paper too, as is customary on such occasions
"Two officers come in and watch silently as he eats his meal
"The chap writes a farewell letter and a farewell poem
"Then there's a clatter of boots on the iron stairs
"Our chap's not a coward, but he stands up and grips the table
"His teeth are chattering
"The prison governor has arrived with the hangman...
"...who says to the chap...
"'... I have to inform you that we played a practical joke on you
"'Consider the whole matter a joke. There'll be no execution'
"The chap flops on his bunk...
"...and the hangman remarks as he turns to leave
"'After all, a joke is better than the rope, isn't it? '
"Our chap just says, 'You motherfucker!"'
I don't remember ever having traveled in a train with you
Even so, that is your story
I told it only once, in a select company of friends
True, one or two journalists were present
I was one of them
You really don't remember, or you just...
You look haggard. What's happened to you lately?
I tried to stomach your story
Maybe you don't remember, but I left the gathering...
...locked myself in the bathroom and was sick and I cried
Then I kept asking you how could you bear living with stories like that?
You said, "Buy them like old photos. Maybe we'll dig them up one day"
I preferred to write it down
Still, it's my story and the day to dig it up again has not yet dawned
So there's no job for me on your journal?
I didn't say that
Why didn't you rejoin the Party?
Because if the Party's wrong again I don't want to be wrong with it
After the bitter experiences...
...what are your views on the state of affairs in this country?
This country is my homeland, whether they like it or not
Good health!
Good morning
They said I'd be in this room
Are you Eva?
That's your desk. What a noise outside. It drives you crazy
Doesn't it bother you?
No, the only important thing is that I can work
Any desk will do for me as long as I can write on it
I haven't worked in two years
I was given this on my way here
I didn't want to go back home to leave it
- The soil is quite dry - I'll get some water
Have you got a flat?
A room
- And a husband? - No
I live alone
- And you? - I'm married
- Is he handsome? - Fairly
- Have you got a photo? - No
Time to eat
We'll be along in a moment
- Aren't you coming? - No, I've got two eggs at home
- I'll get you a lunch ticket - How much is it?
Never mind about that
Pay me when you get paid
Well, let's begin our weekly editorial meeting
Comrade Vandor was assigned to appraise our latest edition
Comrades, I have the privilege of assessing this week's edition
Dialectical criticism should consider our faults as well as our virtues
But I think we took a great step forward
The fight on two fronts
Why bring up "The fight on two fronts"?
Just outside we were saying how our articles are prevaricating, mendacious
Why not deal with that?
Don't you realize how humiliating this is?
We only talk sincerely out in the corridor. Only there
What do you mean?
Here it's work that earns you the right to criticize
When you've tried for over 30 years to speak the truth, as I have...
...you'll learn to value those talks in the corridors
You don't understand the situation
What will become of us in 10 years? Nothing's certain
- Imre Nagy was sentenced to death - Silence, please
Let Eva give us her views
I don't want to be offensive, but our task ought to be to record the truth
In my opinion there are two basic reasons why we don't
The first is that we journalists don't know life sufficiently well...
...and we never will, because those who could help us mislead us at will
I mean county Party secretaries, factory managers, cultural chiefs
As for actual work, believe me Comrade, I long to be able to work
I've completed an article on village events in 1956
A village Party secretary says that in four months...
...1500 people were forced to join the co-operative
And the result? People began to hate the Party
- That's why the revolution broke out - Counter revolution
The storm raises the dust but it helps to blow away the filth too
You'll give next week's assessment
Before that we two will discuss storms
Why did you take my panties away?
Not now
It's very hard to make sense of it
You see...
...there are feelings
And it's hard for me to...
- Hi - Hi
Excuse me for bothering you, Eva
You?
I'm sorry, but could I have a word with you?
Come in
- When were you released? - A month ago
- Was it awful? - I was often cold
A sadistic wardress kept us in our nighties, even in the depth of winter
And now you need money?
No. I work in the textile mill. They gave me a bunk in their hostel
May I have a drop of rum?
Help yourself
Just imagine, they've allocated two detectives...
...to recruit me as an informer. They're constantly on my trail
- Now? Here? - No
Don't be frightened. I gave them the slip today
- They promise me everything - What, for instance?
A flat, a job in my trade. They're blackmailing me
Not only for my political past...
...but also because I love women
I hope you didn't come for that reason
I can't get rid of them
What shall I do?
Oh, never mind
And you, how are you?
Have you got someone?
Why do you ask?
It's just that I thought that you and I...
...the two of us...
...maybe we could again...
Leave me alone
I don't want you, Magda, do understand
I don't love you
Help me
You can stay for the night, if you like
Pull yourself together and try to calm down, do you hear?
My train goes soon
- Isn't there another train for tonight? - No
The trouble is I have to change trains
Our village is on a branch line
- Can't you go tomorrow morning? - Impossible
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and my mother is expecting me
Pity
Do you know the bloke?
He's been here with the blonde but I haven't seen the little one before
- Another journalist? - Of course
I expect the three of them write romances together
Cheer up, girls. Christmas comes but once a year and it doesn't last long
G. B. Shaw. The sage
I like Christmas
Of course you do. You've no wife, no mother-in-law, no children
You live like a wandering knight
Or like a solitary star, always solitary and uninhabited
- I won't be long. Will you wait? - Yes, but hurry
- You said you were broke - No, you shouldn't
Repay me later. You might need it tonight. Bye-bye
Two more cognacs
Has Fiala gone?
I don't know
Livia, I love you so much. You know, don't you?
I've smudged your make-up. A little more...
Do you love me a bit?
Kiss me
- Look at that! - Poor wretches
- This is awful - Awfully bad? No
No, awfully good
Police
Your identity cards, please
You're married, why get mixed up in such a thing?
That's my business
If we catch you at it again, we'll inform your husband, understand?
And your boss, too. Go home now
You're coming with us
Have you the right to treat me like this?
We're not in America. Get moving
Hello
You're in here?
Livia's changed places with me
- Why? - No idea
Haven't you got anything to do?
Indeed I have. Thanks for reminding me. I've plenty to do
Sorry, this isn't the best moment
I'm alone. Come in and let's talk
A little later. All right?
- Mara, come in for a moment, please - I'm on my way
If anyone wants me, tell them I'm with the old man
You know that nothing will happen if you don't want it to happen
Leave me alone. I'm afraid of you. I don't want to ruin my life
What are you afraid of? You start being afraid now?
Let's talk it over. We can't leave it at this
Leave me in peace, please!
It's too late. You should have thought about it before. You started it
That's not true. You wanted it
I'm certain it was you who wanted it
I've never done such a thing before
You sit in a corner like a spider waiting for the fly to get caught
You know this from experience. I don't want any of it
Captain Horvath, please. This is his wife speaking
I'll wait
Donci...
...could you come for me now? All right
We'll meet at home
Hello, darling. I'm sorry, they didn't let me go
No problem
Anything wrong at the office?
Nothing important
What about your maneuvers which were so important?
Horrible. That lot aren't soldiers. They're pop-singers...
...step-dancers, student actors...
...a bunch of pansies. There's no getting them together for an alert
You, Napoleon
Where would you like to go for supper?
Anywhere, as long as I needn't wear a suit because my officer is in uniform
I'm not going in uniform
Then I can wear my slit skit, can't I?
I often think I leave you on your own too much when I'm on duty
I don't know what's the matter with me. I've been so drowsy lately
Let's get ready
There
That's too strong for me
- Please take it - Thank you
Wait for me until closing time
You ought to take more care of yourself
Feeling better now?
I'd be better if things were better
And?
Bring a drop for me, too
Come on, kids
Sit down here, Livia
Tomorrow, you three go to Szolnok County
Take a little look around
- I can't go - Why not?
I've got an appointment for a medical check
- Nothing serious, I hope - I don't think so
- I hope not - What's the trouble?
Nothing. I'm getting breathless. Nothing to worry about...
Idiot
- What's the matter? - I can't sleep, I just can't
Stay here, then
- You two, go to the country - We'll publish a report?
We'll try
Hello
They're coming
- How come you chose the co-op? - The co-op chose me
You joined voluntarily and eagerly, right?
You know that the wheels of history roll on caterpillar tracks
It's best to climb aboard in good time
- Were you the only candidate? - In the village, yes
The whole district holds you in high esteem, Comrade Chairman
Come to the cowshed there's a problem
Why did you join the co-op?
My brother's the chairman
- What did you say about the Astoria? - Nothing
- Cigarette? - That's too mild for me
No need for evening dress. We'll meet in five minutes
I'm glad you've come
So am I now
Wait
Don't you regret it?
It's so strange
Tonight I'll...
You're beautiful
What are you doing?
I hope you'll write nice things about us
Let's drink to the chairman's health
- I hope he won't get too conceited - No risk of that
The truth is I was born to be a chairman
And what was your brother born to be?
A mug!
We're witnessing great times, Eva
Comrade Instructor, could you tell me the Hotel Astoria story?
What Astoria?
When the men were taken to Budapest
Oh, in Budapest
Well, the comrades organized an information session...
...to win over private farmers of some importance to the co-operative
And the chairman was there, too?
Of course he was
- His brother, too? - Yes
I don't think he'll be chairman after the end of the financial year
Why not?
He got people to join. Now he can go
About 20 of us who are respected were taken there
The comrade there told us "Well, folks...
"...you can't leave the hotel, but eat and drink as much as you like"
And the political seminar?
It didn't take long. They said, "Folks...
"...you won't leave until you've made up your minds"
A guard was posted outside the door
After a week, we signed
First my brother, then Beci Bikai...
...then Bandi Pozsar, then in the end I signed, too
Stop it, damn you! Bloody hell!
Comrade Chairman
Were you born to be a chairman at the Astoria?
Comrade... let me tell you something
Once I was a heroic Hungarian soldier at the Battle of the Don
Then I was just a bloody soldier in the POW camp
Then I was a new landholder
Then I became a kulak hireling
in 1956 I carried the national flag too
Well, I served my time for that
Now I've become a chairman because it's my due
What's up?
I'm nervous, I can't sleep
Another cognac
"I was born to be a chairman." That's good. That's perfect
The right man, the right story, the right headline. Congratulations
- It can go to press? - No
- Then I'll go. Goodbye - No
Look, Eva
Your article is excellent and it's very important to us
But without the Hotel Astoria bit
That little episode suggests we're still in the early 50s
We aren't and we're getting farther and farther from those times
What guarantee is there of that?
We ourselves, who don't want those times to return
Do you think the people then wanted such times?
Stop this nonsense. Eva, you're a clever woman
You and I can carry on this journal and do what we have to do...
...only if we accept X clever compromises
The final value of X is all that we can argue about sensibly
- The Astoria story is excessive? - Yes
Why?
How much longer are we going to bury everything that's unpleasant?
As long as we must, as long as the situation requires it
- What situation? - You really don't sense it?
You don't sense that there's a limit to the truth that can be uttered?
Let me ask you something
You don't sense that there's a limit to the lies that can be uttered?
Don't lecture me on truthfulness
I've suffered from it more than you have
Not only have I learned when to open my mouth
I've learned when to keep it shut...
...and when is the moment to disembowel someone
Correct your piece. You've got half an hour
Bloody hell!
Thank you...
...but I can't write lies
Goodbye
Wait
I'll cut your article myself and have it set immediately
I'd like you to read it in tomorrow's edition
If you agree, the car is waiting to take you on your next assignment
You're quite someone, aren't you?
Goodbye
Where are you going?
For a stroll on Margaret Island
Or to the Three Hussars or home to mummy
Or to Moscow, New York, the Moon
None of your business!
- A drink? - No, thanks
Is your heart still giving trouble?
Why did you summon me?
Did you see this piece?
Yes, I edited it and had it set
How could it have got published? "I was born to be a chairman"
Plain facts - we have to face them
- Could I see the manuscript? - Only upon disciplinary action
That's a long way off. Fortunately, I have a copy
"Now only village co-op members can elect their leaders
"How revolutionary it would be to extend this practice...
"...to every community
"To factories, offices...
"...towns, districts, counties the county...
"...so that leaders could be elected from below, by secret ballot"
The rotten Lesbian bitch! And you support her?
I didn't engage her for her work in bed, but at a desk
Besides, I cut out the words you quoted, as you can see
Luckily for you, but that's only one part of the matter
Another part is your editorial meetings
Your people speak of "October events" and the "1956 revolution"...
...which I won't tolerate
I don't want to see Eva Szalanczy there any more. You'll kick her out
The Szalanczy girl, that lesbian bitch, as you say...
...needn't be kicked out by anybody. She's left
Thank God
But in a couple of years you'll regret this
Yes, you'll sadly regret it
Because you'll be surrounded by arselickers and spineless scribblers...
...who'll write what you want - and you'll be swept away like litter
By whom?
By me, I dare hope
Now we really must have a drink
- Have you heard something? - Things can't go on like this
What?
I had an old friend who was known for biting his nails
He couldn't kick the habit
Friends took him to a psychiatrist who cured him by hypnosis
He hypnotized my friend and kept repeating...
"Nail biting is a repulsive habit, a disgusting habit
"I'll never bite my nails again"
And wonder of wonders he stopped biting his nails
A month passed, two months passed...
...and my friend began to twitch. What you do is just the same
What do you mean, "What you do?" Who is "you"?
Let's say what I or we do, or can do if we feel like it
True, at present we can give commands to the patient - a whole nation
We say you won't do this or that
But what will happen in five years, ten years, twenty years?
When illness returns who will take the responsibility?
Why don't you want to understand?
Dear friend beware of a misconception
We didn't suffer the miseries of 1956...
...to let comrades like you ruin the county again
God help the party which relies on you or the likes of you
A month ago I couldn't cope any more, I broke my silence and wrote to you
the paper burned under my pen
Such a letter was enough to bring to life the stone lion outside the Opera
But you could not bear replying
I began to hate you, I waited two weeks for your rep)y
I rang the office
They told me you were on holiday
I sat in front of your house waiting for you...
...so that I could strangle you, I sat on that bench for four days, waiting
I realized that I hated the pigeons, the postman...
...and I wished the pair of you would die
I wanted you to die
Christ!
What frenzy there is in me that I could even kill
I dreamt I was a child again...
...and had to dance on burning straw as a sort of punishment
I was crying and laughing...
...my face was tear stained...
...and I complained to you, It was very hot
then I saw myself sick and feverish and I called you
I got burnt up
Tell me, what now?
What will become of us now?
Good day! Hello
Good day
My colleague from Budapest
Welcome
Doughnuts will be ready soon
I feel so small near you
You are small, little one
I weighed very little when I was born
There was hardly any life in me
On Sundays...
...I was shoved out into the yard...
...so as not to disturb Sunday dinner if I should die
But I didn't die
One can't simply not love me
You hooked me for yourself
That's not true, you hooked me
Do you know what you are? Honey cake...
...walnut, aubergine
I'd like to walk with you naked
I won't let you go from here
Love me
I'll be waiting for you. I'll wait all night
The night was dark, no father was there
The grass was wet with dew
The mire was deep and the child did weep
And away the fog flew
Yes, it's beautiful, really
But the translation isn't quite accurate
This, for instance, "vapor"
Vapor isn't fog. Mist or haze is closer to it
In Hungarian it simply means that the haze dispersed
- How can I help? - Your blouse is unbuttoned
- Does it bother you? - Yes
- Anything else? - A coffee, please
The child was wet with dew not the grass
Excuse me
Hail to the vice squad. Be firm
When you go to see a woman, don't forget to take your whip
As for me, all I can do is to take my umbrella and my spectacles
- Livia? - Yes
Well, dear boy, in this case...
...one can't be clever enough
Livia likes to play
True, but I can play, too
And this would be a pretty hard game
And what would be my part in it?
Help us. You know us both
And how could that little louse be switched off?
That "little louse" isn't a radio. You can't even tune her down
So what can we do?
That's just what I'm asking you. What?
All we can do is pray
Tell me about this person
- Such as what? - What type of person?
- Do you think that will help us? - Has he got anyone else?
A wife, children, a parrot, I don't know
That's absolutely unimportant
I'll find out. Where does he live?
Far away
And you want to go so far away now?
Leave me alone
I'm coming with you. I'll talk to him
Wait till morning, at least. This is so sudden, I can't take it in
if you leave me now...
...I can't answer for myself
I'm not going to stay alone in this flat. I couldn't bear it
Then go somewhere else, amongst people
Stop making plans for me
You won't leave me. You won't shake me off
I love you. I haven't got anyone apart from you...
...and I will never have
I thought it over long ago. It's how I am and that's that
I've cooled down. These things aren't so complicated
They are simply facts
You won't go away
You won't run away from me. Everything will be fine, you'll see
We want to live together, understand?
What if I raped you?
Would he...
Would he want you even then?
What would you gain by raping me? It's you who would suffer
I'd see to it, don't you believe that?
Yes
I believe that. I just don't believe that you love him
You're mistaken. I need that person
More than I need you. I don't need you
And has the woman champion of truth anything to do with all this?
Let's stop play acting
I'm fed up with you pretending we're not talking about Eva...
...and I'm fed up pretending that I don't know that you know
I'm fed up with you!
Tell me, do I disgust you?
I asked if I really disgust you so much
No, you just don't interest me
All I can think of now is that she's waiting for me, I promised her
Let her rot where she is
It's very good with her. You don't count any more. I don't love you
I can't love you any more, try to understand. Leave me alone!
Take your hands off me! Go to hell, you bloody swine!
Drop dead!
Hi
Why have you come?
Shall I go away?
I don't care
Livia...
...tell me what I should do
You?
Yes, tell me what to do now
Go on living your life, write your little pieces
Nothing's happened to you, after all
Shall I close the window?
Close your eyes and stop staring at me
I can't close my eyes
Neither can I. I can't get a wink of sleep...
...despite all the sedatives they give me
I love you so much
And I was thinking...
What?
What can you still think of?
When you get out of hospital you can move in and live with me
I'll do everything for you
I couldn't live without you
Leave me alone!
I love you
Go away!
Major Blindics speaking, criminal police. Call back later, I'm busy now
Thank you
What relations did you have with Mrs. Horvath?
I love Livia. It was a love affair
- Mutual? - Yes
How is that? When you look at me...
...for example, doesn't it even occur to you...
...to look at me as a man?
Of course it does. You are a man aren't you, Major?
If, for example, you fall for a woman, what do you do?
Do you court her? Do you buy her flowers?
Excuse me must I answer these questions?
No, not at all you're not obliged to talk about it
I was only asking
I can't understand...
What can't you understand?
- Well, how you do it - How we do what?
How do you do it?
For heaven's sake what do you want to know?
How do you do the thing to each other?
With our fingers. We stick them up there.
- Yes? - Yes
One finger, two fingers, three fingers - you mother-fucker!
Stop, or I'll shoot!
Fire a warning shot
Stop, damn you!
She's over there
- Eva Szalanczy? - Yes