NOVOCHERKASSK JUNE 1, 1962
Where are you going?
To the deli.
So I can get the rations before there's too many people.
But it's still so early.
Yeah, you're right.
They'll clean out those shelves in no time today.
I just hope there's no panic.
It's the talk of the town - those food prices rising.
They'll take it all - even salt and matches.
They raise milk prices...
Meat I get. But milk, kefir...
Yeah.
There's rumors around town.
But the Central Committee instructions clearly say
that the change will result in higher living standards in the nearest future.
- The nearest future... - That's right.
Now I have a question.
In Stalin's times they lowered the prices every year.
Now they're raising them.
Told the world we're about to live under communism, but still, they raise prices.
So now I have a question.
You have a question?
You get the party rations at the deli?
- So what? - On what grounds?
What does that have to do with anything?
Because you get the rations so you wouldn't have...
any questions. Got it?
When you don't know what to say, you get angry.
Of course, I know.
The instructions say everything clearly.
Party's words are law.
You don't get to discuss them.
If someone forgot that,
I can always jog his memory.
Your bag is by the chair.
Why get so worked up?
No reason.
Your wife comes back tomorrow - why don't you jog her memory.
What are you, jealous?
Madwoman.
They're giving out kefir here, folks!
Folks, no need to jump, no more matches available.
One person at a time!
Profiteers!
Comrades, coming through, coming through.
Coming through, comrades.
Step aside, please!
Lyuda, wait a second! Here you go, little boy, take your juice.
Sure, you can wait a minute!
They only gave me 15 minutes off at work! Nobody cares!
Lyuda, why so early today?
Too busy during the day, you know, and grandpa wants his smokes.
- He'll kill me if I don't bring him some. - This smoking kills people! So crazy!
People started coming at 7 in the morning, all this talk about prices going up.
Alright, so... buckwheat...
There's all this panic of war famine - here's your salami...
So why are you repeating this nonsense?
Latvian cheese, one kilo... Now, canned goods.
I'm not repeating - I'm just saying what I hear.
You're saying-things and then they make a stir over there.
Gobies in tomato sauce, sprats, and a can of cod.
OK, candy... Bear in the North", "Troyka" cigarettes -
"Troyka", here they are.
You got any other sweets?
Chocolate covered curd bars.
- Can I have a couple? - Of course.
My Svetka loves these sweets...
I bet she could eat only sweets all day.
Yeah? Well, I can give you some more.
- Valya, you fine woman. - Oh, it's nothing.
- Thank you so much. - I can spare some for a good person!
Alright, salt, matches - you should take some.
Give me-some matches - grandpa smokes like crazy.
People have taken everything - barely anything left! Here!
Lyuda, here I have for you
"Unicum", Hungarian liqueur.
The prosecutor wouldn't take it - doctors won't allow, so I saved it for you.
Of course, have you seen him? Been drinking way too much.
- His liver's about to give out, I think. - Valya, you're so...
Listen, I went to the city and brought two pairs of pantyhose. I'll give you one.
Thank you so much, thank you.
- Oh, Lyuda... - Of course! Don't mention it.
- I'm so grateful! - Alright, Valya, I have to go.
Wait, wait, I wanted to ask.
- What's going on? - Where?
What are they saying, up there? Are we going to starve?
- Are you a Soviet woman? - I am.
- Exactly. Soviet Union is going to starve? - That's what I'm saying.
- Do you hear yourself? - It can't be!
These conversations are why this is happening! Keep your mouth shut!
Well, I didn't know... That's all boarded up, Lyuda, through the hall!
- You shut up about this! - That's what people are like now...
Lyuda! Did you get the smokes?
They said on the radio today that the prices went up - for kefir, milk...
They did.
Go smoke on the balcony, unload the bag - I don't have time.
- Hi. - Hi.
Got water on the floor - the curtain goes in the tub.
You should start wearing a bra. Have you seen your boobs? It's inappropriate.
Is it appropriate to spend the night with someone else's man?
Shut your face!
- Mom, can I have some salami? - Save it for tonight.
- A curd bar? - Wear a bra - get a curd bar.
Sure, I'll wear it.
I'm so late for the bus!
There are talks at the factory...
What kind of talks?
The rates are going down, nothing to live off,
they cut the wages for the heavy engineering plant by a third.
People will go talk to the higher ups, try to get to the director.
They cut the wages... In war times people worked 16 hours
to get a piece of bread and nobody complained.
- I told you to patch up those socks! - I forgot!
I'll do it tonight. Mom, honest!
I'm late for the assembly, gotta go!
- Do your dress up! - I will.
- Go get some food. - This won't end well.
How so?
The price increase.
These people on the Don river... you never know what might happen.
You're only making it worse, trying to
catch up to America and go further.
You keep quiet!
This is called temporary hardship.
- Sure. - And we shall persevere.
"Temporary hardship"... Kennedy should drop a nuclear bomb on us,
all your so-called temporary hardships would be over.
Please keep quiet, the neighbours might hear.
- You like it? - I don't know...
What about those cherries - making jam?
Jam? No, just some compote - can't make jam.
Turns out OK with white cherry. Where did you get the sugar for the compote?
My neighbour works at the confectionery factory, brought me some.
Anya, you know her? She makes caramel candy.
Came from Moscow exhibition center not long ago.
No, it's all wrong, wait.
Did you see how that actress had it? In that new movie?
That was fine. Or do you want one of those fringes?
She is an actress, I'm going to work!
You should stop it... wagging your tongue like that.
What, you want to look like a croaker?
You should be pretty.
Yes, you're going to work. Does that mean a woman shouldn't look good at work?
During Stalin's days they lowered the prices even after the war.
You should turn that down.
My head is gonna explode - I'm heading to work. And here is your radio!
Sensitization activities were held among the teaching staff
of the Regional Institute.
The Collective of the Institute understands that quick and aggressive
increase of agricultural output is impossible without the measures
taken by the Central Committee and the USSR Cabinet.
Yes, both students and teachers welcome the price increase.
Is that right?
Because I have here a homeland security report
saying that your students, Karelsky, Borisova and Grigoryev declared
their discontent with the necessity of such actions.
In production, steel plant technician of the electric locomotive plant,
said, while playing dominoes in his back yard,
that "in czarist days there was meat a-plenty, and now there isn't".
As well as other examples.
How is the Party's address to the people clarification going, comrade Syomina?
Clarification is ongoing, everything is according to the plan.
Here's comrade Yeremin, chairman of the factory workers committee,
held clarification activities.
- Yes. - We have reports, here's the protocol.
Factory worker, comrade Lepilov, said "The Party and the Government
continuously and incessantly work for the benefit of the Soviet people,
they're doing everything to provide a better life for us,
these hardships are temporary, and we are ready to work through them,
This is the opinion of the majority.
- That's good. - There were, however, questions:
"Was it, perhaps, a mistake to forbid holding cattle in towns for personal use?"
But I think I will go down there today, we'll hold a meeting at 3,
we will go over this issue together.
Comrade Semashkin will go to the plant,
gather up the Young Communists.
- Yes, I'm going straight there after this. - Wonderful.
So the plan is progressing.
What's that?
- Is that at the plant? - No, that's farther away.
Maybe a train?
A train? A train...
Yes. Loginov here.
What?
They've stopped working at the Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant.
Disturbances? The workers are striking?
Yes, Comrade Basov, yes, I am aware, just got a report.
Yes, we're taking measures. Absolutely, we're waiting.
Regional Committee Secretary is on the way.
They know everything in Moscow already.
We'll wait for him and then go to the plant.
How is this possible?
KGB headquarters...
Do you hear what I'm saying? Nobody is to leave the Institute,
take all of their record books...
How are you holding them down? How should I know?
Let them all pass exam in political economy.
So, the Regional Committee Secretary is on his way,
he'll be here any minute now.
Hey, did you see how angry he was?
Didn't want to talk, didn't even get out of his car.
Holy cow, railway services are interrupted, this is a state level event!
I'm screwed -
I'll get expelled from the Party and sent off to a village as a school principal.
Comrade Loginov, how is this on us?
They answer to the Regional Committee and directly to Basov!
So then you tell that to Basov!
You know, many heads will roll. They can pin it all on us.
Do you know what your tomorrow holds? Membership card revoked,
and you're a heard technician far off in the plains.
Crime, this is a crime.
People are ignorant, don't understand a thing.
Surrounded by the pardoned!
They are the ones who know what to propagate.
We're the ones who missed it, didn't report it, didn't clarify far enough.
It's our fault, we have to answer for it.
- So you should answer for it! - So I will!
Sure, so you can work as a paramedic some place if you're lucky.
And I will! Stop trying to scare me!
I did report! I did clarify!
You clarified?
How many times did I say, we should go to the building zone, to the plant?
What's going on over there?
Couldn't make it to the building zone, everywhere else - as specified.
As specified! We all know what kind of things you have specified!
Around cafes with those young communist girls!
You're a madwoman!
Move aside, people! Move aside for the Regional Committee Secretary!
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE PLANT
Move aside for the Regional Committee Secretary! Make way!
Move aside! Move aside! Give way!
Keep calm!
Move aside for the Regional Committee Secretary!
Keep calm! Move aside! Move aside! Give way!
Turn this damn siren off!
The workers locked themselves inside, won't let us turn it off.
Because you are a moron!
Moron! The workers...
A bunch of hooligans, that's who they are!
You know, Khruschev called me?
Getting the Central Committee Executives together!
- Did you carry out the sensitization activities? - I did.
The fuck you did! Why is this happening?
Factory of national standing has workers on strike!
A fucking strike in our socialist community!
How is this possible?
Comrade Basov,
there are people out there, you should talk to them.
Factory management lowered their rates yesterday.
- Rates? - Had the audacity.
Rates?
Moron...
So what am I supposed to tell them now?
Comrade Basov, calm them down, you can do it.
Let's tell them we're talking to their management.
We can't play down to these hooligans!
Then maybe we can tell them we'll look over those rates?
Don't you tell me how to talk to them!
Comrades! I have a directive issued by the Central Committee, the Party
and the Cabinet Council of the USSR on the livestock products price increase.
This increase will allow for the imminent abundance
of these products in stores and cafeterias!
Comrades, we live in a wonderful time...
Calm yourselves, comrades...
Soviet people led by the Communist party of the Soviet State...
Comrades, you should get out of here!
We should get the fucking army!
Comrade Basov, you should evacuate to an enclosed space.
Move! I'll show them a strike!
Hello! Regional Committee Secretary Basov...
What? Where? Get him on the line!
So you still want to talk to these... people?
They won't listen to anyone now. Are they all drunk down there?
I'm a member of the Military Council of the North Caucasus District!
I want troops in Novocherkassk!
Cavalry carriers! Radio officers!
Put the 505 regiment on alert!
Comrades, quick! Get out to the hallway! We go deep inside the building!
Get me into the city!
- Comrade Secretary, it is impossible... - What is impossible?
The factory building is surrounded by people.
- Back entrance! - There is no back entrance...
Fuck. Where are your people?
They can't get out of the courtyard!
They sent 50 soldiers but they can't get inside!
People have gone nuts - flipped over my vehicle!
So what are you saying? We can't get out?
- Blocked off? - Looks like it, Comrade Secretary.
Hurry up! Faster, please!
Move on!
Follow me!
This was at 11, people gathered in the square. KGB
They want someone from the management to explain to them how
to live now that the prices went up, but the rates went down.
- Who's this? - Identified as cleaning staff.
Primary school education, three children.
One is currently in a children's home due to poverty, husband dead...
She yelled out into the crowd: "Fat slobs, death to the communists!"
- Who's this? - Unidentified, these two are my people.
Here they've stopped the train.
Broke off the picket fence, threw it on the rails.
Hooligans breaking the windows of the train car. There are people inside.
- We need to identify the instigators. - There's over 4000 of them out there.
There're always instigators.
Look at this one, so loud. Instigator.
Identify him, which workshop he works at, his address and the like.
Might need to arrest him.
- Got it? - Yes, sir!
They noticed our man taking photos, beat him, tore his shirt off and threw him out.
Gotta be more careful. Anything else?
They're planning to send delegations to other factories, ask that they join.
Well, that's too much...
There's troops out there, nobody is letting them through...
Although - have them on the lookout, just in case.
So that guy is beaten up, you're here...
Who else is still out there? Two more people?
Yes, yes.
Higher ups here from Moscow, all proceed to the head office.
- So, who came? - He didn't say, looked like First Deputy.
- Really? What would he be doing here? - Beast.
- Come on... - Beast, I'm telling you.
So?
Aces.
Fucked up?
- Fucked up! - We were writing.
We sent morale reports over every day!
You were writing?
Writers...
You fucked up!
Should have prevented it, not write about it.
Listen. The situation is critical.
Nikita Khruschev has personally ordered that the Government Committee
be sent to Novocherkassk. In two hours the heads are expected,
comrades Kozlov and Mikoyan.
Wow.
Upon arrival, the Committee heads down here, to Novocherkassk.
Accompanied by the KGB and MIA officials,
and the KGB security group.
Altogether around fifty people.
Where will they be stationed?
With him! With the division of the Northern Caucasus District.
Yes, sir! With us, we're making preparations.
Got a high fence, made of stone, everything is secured, and facilities.
Command point is set up in the gym.
We put the red carpets already.
- Communications? - Government high frequency
will be set up by 5 p.m., operators are working on it.
Where is it?
Here.
Second question. What about the army?
Orders made by the Minister of Defense are executed.
On area commander Pliyev's orders 200 students of
the Military school have arrived.
Another division is on alert.
Gunnery school students on alert, 500 people.
General is leaving imminently, arriving in Novocherkassk by 5 p.m.
Gunfire?
They don't have munitions.
What?
Why mobilize the army if they don't have munitions?
Area commander general Pliyev's orders -
munitions are not to be given out.
Last name?
Colonel Fedorenko!
Colonel Fedorenko,
on behalf of the Government Committee,
I order you to give out munitions immediately.
Execute!
Yes, sir!
Next up. Nikita Khruschev is appalled that
the Regional Committee Secretary Basov is blocked off at the factory
and is unable to leave the premises.
Our people tried but the crowd wouldn't let them inside the building.
- Soldiers tried as well... - Soldiers?!
Soldiers without munitions are no soldiers!
Alright.
I'll send my people.
At least they are fully armed.
Might as well die out here...
Some kind of Bangladesh!
It is unsuitable, comrade regional Committee Secretary. We have to wait.
How long am I supposed to wait, huh? Well?
- Help is on the way. - What have you done for it to happen?
What? I've had it up to here...
- It is happening. - Happening...
Here to evacuate political workers.
Who is the Regional Committee Secretary comrade Basov?
Colonel Geraschenko, KGB special ops!
Where have you been this whole goddamn time?
We've been here since the morning!
Comrade Basov, getting onto the premises is not an easy task!
The operation is dangerous, we should hurry!
Please, follow us, everything is under control.
It will be a bit crammed and smelly.
Getting dirty is unavoidable. Careful, you might slip.
You stay here! They are your workers, you figure it out!
Comrade Basov! I didn't...
You were told to move along!
It's your factory, friend! You said there was no back entrance!
Please, don't hold up the line.
- Get in! - Careful.
Mind your head.
On the left, forward march!
May I, comrade Kozlov!
So, comrades,
does anyone have anything of substance to contribute?
OK then, listen.
No information gets out of this city.
What measures are being taken for this?
Radio interferences have been set up,
five vehicles along the perimeter.
Locators are searching and tapping into everything.
All phone calls are monitored, all letters are read.
Checkpoints instituted come nighttime - a fly wouldn't get out.
I have questions for the comrades responsible for emergency prevention.
What about the Ministry of Interior?
Regiment 505 is in the city to institute protection of property -
KGB Directorate and the city police station, the prison, the bank,
post office, City Council and the Party Committee buildings.
As well as the pumping point, gas-distributing station,
electrical substation all under surveillance.
May I, comrade Kozlov?
Comrade Basov, we will have a separate conversation with you, you may sit down.
This KGB report says that half of the town are criminals
who have served their time in prison!
What are the measures taken to neutralize the crime figures?
Based on the collected data,
all local enterprises have extremely
high personnel turnover rate.
Sloppiness on the part of the management has lead to
at least one third of factory workers being recently released criminals.
Allow me...
One needs to remember that the Don River region
and the Novocherkassk District specifically
have historically been high risk zones,
centers of counter-revolutionary cossack activity,
which have always had anti-Soviet tendencies.
I'm telling you, it's the agitators! "Voice of America"! CIA!
Let me proceed...
But we should be patient,
I wouldn't create a strained atmosphere!
We should figure everything out, go deep...
Tomorrow, when everything will have died down,
we should talk to the people.
No use in talking! Arrest them all!
Who said that?
- Last name! - Syomina.
Novocherkassk City Committee. Production sector.
Comrades, we must not forget that after the 20th Party Congress
former political criminals and the dispossessed came back to town.
These people are extremely angry at the Soviet Government,
you never know what they might do...
Arrest them and take them to court, to the full extent of the law.
Instigators should get extreme penalty.
The locals think differently,
comrade Mikoyan,
I would even say, radically differently!
Sit down, comrade Syomina.
Write your arguments down and hand them to me personally.
Did you have to say something? What is your problem?
I don't know, you should have stopped me!
Alright,
general Pliyev,
you heard the orders of the Minister of Defense.
The shenanigans and the gangster tricks of the hooligans must be stopped.
Army units should prevent the protest from going into the city.
In case anything happens, open fire.
Dear members of the Committee,
I ordered that the munitions were not given out.
According to the Constitution, the Army is not to open gunfire on the people.
General Pliyev,
do you remember 1956 in Budapest,
when fascists hung and skinned communists?
I do.
"Voice of America" also called these dirtbags "people".
Doesn't it seem strange that your opinion is remarkably close
to that of an enemy radio station?
Comrade Secretary, the goal of the Army is
to protect the country from outside enemies.
General Pliyev,
as the Head of the Government Committee,
I order you to pass out munitions to your soldiers!
Execute immediately!
Comrade Syomina is right -
these hooligans should not be allowed to enter the city.
If the unrest at the factory continues, arrests will need to be made.
Above all else -
we are not to allow any information to leave city limits,
let alone find its way abroad!
All roads in and out of the city need to be shut off
for the next few days.
Complete blockade, is that clear?
When did they let you go?
At 9.
People didn't want to leave,
but they sent in soldiers and we got pushed out.
Region Committee Secretary came...
I know, I was there.
Where? At the factory?
The whole City Committee was there.
I didn't see you...
There were cars though, no space to go around!
The Secretary spoke, but the people just got angry.
We decided we'll speak out in an organized manner.
What do you mean, speak out?
We'll go to the City Committee.
You're not going anywhere!
The factory is going, everyone in our lab, so I'm going too!
- You stay! - No, I won't!
We live in democracy. Freedom of assembly and protest!
Sure, protest. I've seen this protest of yours.
Drunkards, hooligans!
Smell like vodka!
Maybe someone did have a drink, but they're just workers!
Workers!
Workers should work!
These people are drunks, alcoholics!
I have a passport and constitutional rights!
You're not going anywhere I said!
Did you see how many soldiers are in town!
Are you scared of our soldiers?
Soviet soldiers would never shoot at the people.
Why are the people from Moscow here?
Khruschev must have sent them himself!
Khruschev...
Khruschev threw Stalin out of the Mausoleum and started the whole thing.
That's right!
A dictator shouldn't be next to Lenin!
He executed so many innocent people!
What do you know about Stalin...
I know it all! Comrade Khruschev told the whole truth about Stalin!
The 20th Party Congress unearthed the truth!
Khruschev... why didn't he say anything when Stalin was alive?
Why didn't any of them?
The second he died they drag him!
They were saving their necks!
They were afraid, they were all afraid of Stalin!
You too, aren't you?
- Where are you going? - Get off me!
You come back right now!
How did this happen?
We fought in Stalin's name every day,
now they're walking all over his name!
It all made sense then -
who's an enemy and who's one of ours...
She is one of ours. But now nothing makes sense...
Had Stalin been around, we'd already live under communism!
We would, right?!
Why are you quiet?!
I'd rather not see any of it.
I'm glad I'll soon be dead.
Let it all burn.
You too?!
Grandpa, what are you doing? Where's this from?
From the chest.
Have you gone mad?
They can put you in prison for those stripes!
You'll bury me in this.
- What's that? - Kazan Mother of God.
Your great grandfather
blessed my father's wedding with it.
Then your grandfather used it to bless your mother and me.
It's OK - I'll die and then you can get rid of it.
Put it in my coffin.
JUNE 2, 1962
LOCAL COMMUNIST PARTY HQ
The Palace of Pioneers and Schoolchildren has had its Grand Opening.
A dear guest, Nikita Khrushchev, came to visit the kids.
Does he not know what's going on here?
He should have asked you, right?
Dad, it's me. Did Svetka come around?
She did. Took some sandwiches and left.
You sit down, sit.
Alright, so a crowd of about 3000 people is moving towards the city.
They have portraits of Lenin and red flags.
They want to talk to the people from Moscow.
Looks like they're going to the City Committee, that would be us.
Who's going to let them through! There're tanks and soldiers!
I think so too.
But they're being joined by workers from other factories.
So if the crowd grows to five-six thousand, then I'm not so sure.
What about the higher ups? Comrades from Moscow?
What about them?
I called - they won't pick up.
They're in a meeting, perhaps.
The crowd is over five thousand people. They're getting over the tanks easily,
soldiers seem to even be helping them.
So we have thirty minutes.
Wow.
Who is going to tell us what to do, comrade Loginov?
Shut up.
Novocherkassk City Committee, Loginov. Can I speak to comrade Basov?
He's not in? Alright.
Basov is at the armored division, with Kozlov and other Government people.
The people are here.
Yes! Awaiting orders.
What the hell are you talking about! Go to the people, go to them!
To the people, that's right!
Shut up!
It's not us they need! What are we going to tell them?
That the Moscow people would rather see them dead?!
They have Lenin! They're taking Lenin against the Soviet state!
Comrades!
The people are about to enter the building!
We won't be able to hold them off for much longer. Get out of here!
Let's go!
How are we getting out?
Through the second floor window, down the fire escape.
- That's very high up! - Don't worry, I'll help you.
Comrade, where are you going?
Comrade!
Do you copy? I'm here.
Do you copy? Awaiting orders.
Do you copy? I'm here.
Do you copy? Cuckoo is here.
What are you doing here? Get out immediately!
Right now!
What are you doing here? Leave, now! They're in the building!
Faster, now!
Quiet! Let me talk!
and nobody wants to explain themselves!
The Red Army commanders put the Soviet State up there, they should explain!
That's right!
Look what they're eating here! Cognac, Hungarian salami!
You're leaving, now!
What's happening! Folks, they have spies! Get out of here!
Clear the space immediately!
Leave the square right now!
Or I call for gunfire!
Get your people out of here. As soon as you hear the first shot...
No, right now. Leave against that wall.
- But they only have blanks! - Don't be smart, get them out.
So what are we doing?
We're fucking useless here!
Comrades from the Party didn't come here for nothing!
Mikoyan, Kozlov.
They'll sort everything out.
Maybe we try to get through to the higher ups again?
Load them up!
On your mark!
Gunfire!
Where are you going?
- Kolya? Where is Kolya? - I don't know.
A girl... Svetka!
Radio broadcast for workers
Rag!
Everything will be OK...
Close the door. Close the door!
Where are you going?
Who shot?
General, sir!
There were no orders. Who shot?
We didn't shoot at the people! Just fired in the air!
What's with the bodies then, dead bodies!
Everyone goes on the mat!
Is Svetka home?
Did she call?
Go inside and take that off!
- Do you have Svetka? - No.
- Didn't she spend the night? - She did, and then left.
Let me in! I need to talk to Tamarka!
Tamarka is not here.
- Tamarka? - No. Brother.
Take him to the hospital.
KGB is everywhere! They'll take him in for ten years!
Sveta! Svetka!
Tamarka! You and Svetka were together, where is she?
I don't know.
We were standing there and then she ran away... Shots...
Two idiots, prancing around with those bandits, hooligans!
- Lyuda, you won't snitch, will you? - Wash the stairs, you idiot!
HOSPITAL
Let me in! City Committee!
- Let us in! - Don't touch me!
Let me through!
They won't let me in!
- Did you go to the morgue? - Where's the morgue?
Turn right at the corner, then turn again. There're soldiers...
Stop right here! The doctor is busy, you have to wait!
Miss, I told you. The doctor is busy.
- Please let me in. - He'll come out now, wait!
You have a cigarette?
No, I don't.
He's about to finish and come out for a smoke.
Wait here.
Girls, who's next?
- Sit down. - Nadezhda Konovalova.
- Patronymic? - Mikhailovna.
Alright, Nadezhda Mikhailovna. I, so and so,
employed at such and such organization,
am bound to not disclose in any form to any person any information about the
classified events, occurred on June 1-2 in Novocherkassk.
I am informed that in the event of this information being disclosed,
I'll be punished under criminal law, including the possibility of death penalty.
Sign it and date it.
Here - first and last name, patronymic. Here - date and signature.
What am I not to disclose?
Nothing. Remember - nothing happened!
No matter who asks - "I don't know anything!"
Understood?
Classified events!
Who are these persons I could tell?
Were you...
in the crowd at the square?
Yes, I was.
Stirring things up?
Well, that's a whole other case.
Don't complain now.
Quiet, no talking. You're coming with us.
Next!
Doctor, I need to talk to you.
My daughter... my girl. I can't find her.
- How old is she? - Eighteen.
She's this tall, has braids with blue ribbons in them.
Can I come in and look?
Please?
Let's go in.
Yours?
No.
That's good, there're no more girls here.
Two women, the rest are men.
Doctor!
Is there a way to get to the hospital from here?
Unauthorized entry is not permitted..
Don't hold me up, I need a smoke.
- Where's Faina? - Over there.
- Faina, let me go see the wounded. - Are you crazy?
I can't find Svetka. Maybe she's in there?
- How did you get in here? - Next!
How did you get in here? You're coming with me.
Wounded? What are you talking about?
There are no wounded people here.
People are not allowed in the hospital, we're under quarantine.
Are you crazy?
I signed a pledge of secrecy!
Next!
Svetka isn't here, I haven't seen her.
If I find something out - don't call me.
I'll call you myself from a payphone or I'll come see you.
I hope she doesn't show up here. Those who do, don't ever come back home.
Have you seen them?
People are all hiding at home, afraid to get medical help.
- Next. - Go already!
General, sir. I've been notified the blood doesn't wash off the square.
It's too hot, it boiled into the asphalt.
Then pour new asphalt on it. The whole square. Immediately.
Got it.
Hello.
Novocherkassk chapter of KGB.
Your daughter, Svetlana Syomina?
Yes.
May I speak with her?
And where is she?
You must be Lyudmila Syomina?
Yes.
So, you're telling me your daughter isn't home?
No, she isn't.
You're head of sector at the Party City Committee?
Yes.
You may go.
Do you think I can see her passport?
Passport? Of course, let me find it.
- Grandpa is joking around. - That's fine.
Something wrong?
Everything is fine.
Want a drink?
No, thank you.
On the job?
Did you go to the "Azov" sanatorium last summer?
Yes, I did.
Me too! I sang in the choir, at the talent show.
Really? Can't remember.
So, you don't know where she is?
Do you think she's not hurt?
Hasn't been identified among the wounded.
I went all around town, looked everywhere. Can't find her.
Can I take a look at her table, textbooks and such?
I have a search warrant, here.
Comrade Syomina, a decree has been issued,
all information about human casualties
as a result of events in Novocherkassk
is classified.
Have you signed a pledge of secrecy?
No.
Okay. You'll get a chance to do it tomorrow at the City Committee.
Maybe she's hiding somewhere?
What's her offense?
The court will decide.
I think, instigators get three years and more.
Let her show up, I'll bring her in myself.
The State will set her straight.
I'll bring her in, do you believe me?
Of course,
I believe you.
If she shows up, let us know.
But,
comrade Syomina, and I'm saying this off the record,
there are criminals and then
there are ignorant victims of instigation.
They won't lock up the whole factory, will they?
Alright, I need to make a few more house calls.
Goodbye.
Attention! Due to certain events, the city is under curfew
from 9 p.m. till 6 a.m.
Being outside is permitted only to persons with specific authorization,
our officers have been granted license to open fire.
Please, don't leave your homes.
Since when are you praying?
Sit down,
I want to read you something.
Where is it?
"Uncle Timofey got killed too.
They killed a lot of people,
threw them naked on the carts. Every which way.
Someone's arms or legs would reach the ground.
Uncle Timofey's legs shot straight up. What a disgrace.
I went to school,
but they told me
I couldn't get the Soviet State education,
because my father was against them.
So I don't go there often now.
But it doesn't bother me,
since it's all about propaganda and blasphemy at school.
People came in,
took our last corn,
fined us.
Mom says we'll die of hunger,
since this isn't the first time this has happened,
not just here, in our village,
but everywhere."
This is Nastyusha,
my niece,
so, your cousin.
This was in 1922 or 1923.
As soon as I got the letter,
I went down there, to our village.
I was late.
They were already dead
and thrown in that ditch.
Both naked.
Apparently got raped first
and then killed.
Was there another way? Tell me, was there another way?
Horrible things were happening
in the Don region.
The kulaks, the whites.
And cossacks went all brutal.
What was to be done?
Sholokhov wrote about it, you should read his novel.
If Sholokhov of yours had written the truth,
nobody would have known he ever existed.
They'd send him away somewhere, or even execute along with the others.
Wow, I'm so scared!
Can't scare me!
I was in the lines, I saw it all.
I know, I know, what are you going to say?
You've seen a lot, that's true.
I don't think you've seen anything like this.
In a village,
one cossack, he was very old,
called our commissioner a barbaric person.
So they cut his tongue out,
nailed it to his chin
and took him around the village, until he died.
So I'm telling you, my daughter,
there's no God in the Don region.
And this needs to be discussed.
Better give me some vodka!
This was supposed to be for a celebration!
I don't have any vodka.
This isn't serious.
Let's drink to the dead.
Walk!
Come on!
- I don't have anything! - Keep walking!
I never went there! I didn't go!
Stop or I will shoot!
Misha!
They killed him! You bastards!
Hands up!
Misha!
Oh comrade, my comrade, protect your Motherland at all costs
both in the fields and on the lines.
The great Soviet people is behind you...
Everything will be ready for tomorrow night, General, sir.
The civil engineering school orchestra,
got a hundred people from the neighbourhood watch for the dance,
the Young Communist Organizations are notified.
Dancing will be allowed till 3 in the morning!
We hope the townspeople will come as well.
Dancing...
Captain, have you ever executed an extreme penalty sentence,
or have you seen it happen?
No, General, sir.
I have.
Many times.
You know how it's done?
Set them on the edge of the ditch and pull a sack over the head - that's easy.
But tie their hands - that's the stuff!
You take a hemp rope,
a meter-twenty per person.
You put their hands together facing outward,
loop them twice,
both ends of the rope go between the hands, then pull it together again.
Each hand gets its own loop.
I bet I could tie one now with my eyes closed.
General, sir, why are you telling me this?
I mean, these workers
have a point.
We live in socialism, correct?
They're only trying to protect their constitutional rights.
I would have snapped too.
I know, you must be thinking,
"He's either bluffing
or mental".
I don't think that.
You should.
The fact that we live in socialism is also classified.
JUNE 3, 1962
Hello!
Stop!
You may pass.
Text on the poster DANCING tonight at 7p.m.
You may pass.
Next!
- Last name? - Syomina.
Proceed to room 24. Next!
Please, read this.
Do you understand that the events of June 1-2 are classified information?
- Yes, I do. - In case of disclosure,
you'll be punished under criminal law,
including extreme penalty. If this is clear, sign and date here.
I need to tell you something.
Has your daughter come around?
No... She's not at the hospital either.
Your people didn't find her?
There were only 8 bodies at the morgue,
but I saw much more than that.
I saw them thrown in the back of a truck.
After the meeting I'm going to the morgue again.
Don't go to the morgue.
What do you know?
You know something!
There really were more bodies.
But they are not and will not be at the morgue.
Policemen from different districts were called in,
they took the bodies out of town
and buried them in various places.
- Where? - Why do you need to know?
Where? I will go!
Maybe she's still hiding in town.
Maybe she is. But I will still go!
Where will you go?
The town is blocked off, a fly can't get out!
Don't you understand, I have to go!
The higher ups are running late.
Apparently there's a conflict with the Army. A scandal.
The Minister of defense got reprimanded for soldiers killing so many people.
They took it off Khruschev and pinned it to the Army.
It wasn't the Army who shot them.
How do you know?
Snipers.
From the roofs of our building and one of Young Communist Committee.
Snipers... That would be the 9th.
- The 9th? - The 9th Chief KGB Directorate tasked
with protecting the highest officials.
Half the political bureau is here, in Novocherkassk.
Can you imagine how many KGB agents are in town?
KGB killed all these people and the Army is to blame!
That's right.
Thank the heavens it's not our problem.
We have victims of our own. Give me the report.
What report?
Did you forget? You said it yourself yesterday, "execute them" and such.
Kozlov, Central Committee Secretary, told you to write him a report.
His office called me this morning. He wants you to speak on your arguments!
- Did you really forget? - I didn't think I had to write it!
Let's go before they get here.
- Ever found Svetka? - No.
Hiding out somewhere with her friends.
That's good, she'll sit this out.
You're right.
She's not at the morgue so she's hiding. I'll find her later.
I have to leave the Party.
It's my own fault. Couldn't control my own daughter!
How did you put it - I'll be a paramedic in the far off plains.
I'll atone for my guilt. I'll be of service to my country!
Wait! They will kick off quite a lot.
But Kozlov noticed you. If you make it right,
they'll forgive Svetka, among other things.
Come on, write.
What am I writing?
"Dear Comrades!"
Dear Comrades...
I wrote it, now what?
"Our Party Organization is
in strong support of the measures against the hooligan figures..."
- Do you have it? - Give me a second.
And then, in the end.
"I'm talking on behalf of everybody, that the strict measures
mentioned in the report by comrade Kozlov in regards to the instigators
be executed in the shortest possible time.
No mercy to those who
break the laws
of the Socialist..."
I need to write about poor sensitization work!
They'll say it before you can!
You need to strike the right note with the higher ups. Write faster.
This means they're on their way.
Don't worry.
Don't forget, you speak after comrade Ovodov. I'm going over there.
these were hooligans who were acting out at the factory.
A great deal's been said about this factory.
Why didn't we take any measures?
We did a poor job, but someone - someone did the job well!
I will be honest with you -
this gathering didn't have a single fine worker.
They come to me, say - stop your work! Why should I?
They say, we're on strike.
I say, you know what, you should leave now, because if you don't,
I blow you all up in 5!
You all, myself and the factory!
So these heroes ran so fast you could hardly see them anymore.
Here, comrades, we should have more workers like this one!
I should say that our workers always have, are and always will work
to bring prosperity to our country, dear comrades!
Now a word from Comrade Ovodov, professor at the Engineering Meliorative Institute!
Oh God! God, please forgive me.
Oh dear God, please let her live... let her live, please, God.
Lyuda, are you in there?
Come out, Lyuda!
You're up next! Lyuda, come out!
I'm begging you, please, come out!
How will we find them?
We'll go to the District Officer of Zadonsky village.
He buried them, he knows which cemetery.
Do you have her photograph?
- Here. - Good.
Closed off here as well.
Leaving the city is not allowed.
- Take the car away. - Are you not seeing the plates?
I have orders.
What's wrong?
Nothing special.
Come with me.
What's wrong with you, lieutenant. You saw my badge -
Committee for State Security!
So people at the KGB don't know they need a special permit to exit the city?
Please, come with me.
You too.
Wait here.
What now?
Army.
These boots hate our guts.
What happens now?
If they call my management -
nothing good happens. We are both done.
You understand that we're attempting an unsanctioned exit of the city.
I mean, this isn't good at all. A conflict is unavoidable.
Let's say they found...
anti-Soviet forces in a neighboring village.
You had to leave immediately, no time to issue a permit.
That's nonsense!
It's better to tell the truth: your daughter is missing,
we're going to a cemetery to find and identify her.
He's a boot, but he might be a decent person.
Or not.
Well...
Got guns?
Yes.
Hand it over!
On what grounds? Lieutenant, don't cross the line!
Do I have to search you now? Get up, face the wall!
Hand over the gun!
Follow me.
Put your hands on the wall.
Spread your feet.
Let's go.
- What did you tell them? - Nothing, I didn't have to.
Turns out they're decent people. Let us go just like that.
Just like that?
The Army has some fine people too.
They just don't like us very much.
Can't blame them.
Oh comrade, my comrade, protect your Motherland at all costs
both in the fields and on the lines...
I don't know what this is, stuck in my head for some reason.
Oh comrade, my comrade, protect your Motherland at all costs
both in the fields and on the lines...
What is this?
It's from the "Spring" movie, music by Dunayevsky!
Hi.
Lead District Officer Gusev?
Yes.
Get dressed.
Follow me, this won't take long.
Won't take long.
Vasya?
- Where are you taking me to? - To the cemetery.
To identify a body.
I don't know anything.
- Did you go get bodies in the city? - I don't know anything.
You'll tell us where they were buried.
I don't know anything! I don't know anything!
You idiot! Have you seen my badge?
I'm with the authorities, you can tell me!
- I don't know anything. - Do you have kids?
Of course, he does!
You'll tell me everything now!
Wait! You have to understand, my daughter is missing.
I don't know where she is. Maybe she's over there.
I swore secrecy!
We all did. So we all get executed if someone finds out.
But we're not telling anyone, nobody gets hurt, do you understand?
- Did you bury the bodies? - Yes! Now I'm as good as dead!
Nobody is getting executed!
I won't tell anyone. Spill it.
Got the bodies on receipt.
Eight of them. Brought them in and buried them.
Put them in plastic and buried them.
- Where? - Our local cemetery.
Just don't tell anybody!
You'll show us the graves.
They are other people's graves. That's where we put them.
- What do you mean, other people's? - Other people's.
Yes, just don't tell anyone.
We chose four that looked abandoned, not even a fence,
since relatives don't come visit -
dug them up,
put the bodies in plastic on top of the coffins.
- Am I dead now? - Did you do the digging?
- Did you dig? - I... yes, I did!
Why four graves? You said you had eight bodies.
Well... we put one body where the earth was tough, two or three in others...
I will get executed now.
No.
We aren't telling anybody. Let's go.
Here, I think.
Yes, here.
You buried them yourself! You should remember!
Was there a girl?
A girl with braids in her hair?
Blue ribbons?
- Yes, there was one. - This one?
Yes.
Yes, she was here.
Look closely! Are you sure it was her?
Well?!
Yes, I'm sure. The blue ribbons.
Just don't tell anybody. Buried her here.
The grave wasn't deep, I held her by the feet, they were poking out of the plastic.
Hole in the sock, toes poking through.
Show us the grave.
We dug in the night...
Toes...
Toes?!
We buried them at night...
Let me think.
This one. This one!
- You sure? - Yes, sure.
Lyuda. Lyuda!
Let me go!
Show me the toes! Where are the toes?
Captain, sir, just don't tell anyone, okay?
There's a bottle in the glove compartment. Want some?
- There're no glasses though. - That's alright.
- Want more? - No.
Oh comrade, my comrade,
protect your Motherland at all costs
both in the fields and on the lines.
The great Soviet people is behind you.
They walk towards their ultimate goal through thick and thin
in the name of freedom.
How does it start?
Bright sun is coming up, dew glistening on the grass...
The fields and forests are blooming all around.
My beloved country, one and only in the whole world
invincible, my Soviet country!
It was you, sons of bitches, you shot at the people from the roofs!
Fucking KGB... And then you go and pin it on the Army.
You don't just move papers around, you fucks.
Want some advice?
No.
Watch your mouth, you're already in trouble.
Svetka was born in 1944.
I was a nurse at the front, since the very beginning of the war.
Met my true love in 1943 by the city of Kursk, my one and only.
He was killed there in August, too.
Invalided out...
due to the pregnancy. Had Svetka.
He was a hero, really was.
What?
A hero, I say!
Listen, he was a Hero of the Soviet Union.
He had a wife in the city of Kislovodsk.
What am I supposed to believe in, if not communism?
Blow everything up to hell.
Blow it all up.
And then start again.
Wow,
my hands look like a miner's.
How is it possible? How is this possible?
I don't understand!
Other people's graves!
No name, no nothing! Nothing!
No coffins even, how...
Why, I don't understand, why hide them?
They hid them! Why?!
These people have to be forgotten.
Shouldn't even be talking about this.
Why? How is it... Why?
Oh, so it's a crime that they shot people!
How to forget? How am I supposed to forget this?
How can I come visit her?
Where is she? How will I know where to go?
Can't remember, can't talk about it. That's what the pledge of secrecy is for.
But how? Why?
That's just not right!
They are our own... how is that OK?!
Yes.
It is...
Wish Stalin could come back.
We can't do it without him.
We won't make it.
Dancing.
Thank you.
Will I see you again?
Sure, I'm not going anywhere. This is a small town.
Lyuda!
Here, Svetka's passport. If anything happens, you call me right away.
Got it? I'll fix everything.
Do you believe me?
What are you doing?
It belongs to Svetka!
What are you doing here?
Counting the money.
- Svetka? - Yes.
Where?
On the roof.
No, no, no, no.
Oh, God. Oh, God, she's alive.
Alive! I knew it, God...
God, she's alive!
Mom, mom, it's me. Are you OK?
It's alright, it's alright.
Why couldn't you call?
What if the phone was tapped! I'd let you down, I'd let Tamarka down...
You were hiding at Tamarka's?
What happens now? Shall I go to prison?
Will they take me to the KGB?
No, they won't, you're not going anywhere.
They aren't taking you! They aren't!
- You'll go plow the virgin lands. - They're patrolling everywhere,
grandpa can't even find my passport...
It's right here, your passport!
We can make it work! I have a person who can help...
Mom!
How? How is that possible?
I don't get it!
Calm down, quiet.
I don't get it! Tell me!
It's OK, my daughter! It's OK!
She's alive, God! She's alive!
It's OK, my daughter!
We will be better.
We shall better ourselves.
We shall be better.