East/West (Est-Ouest)

"June 1946, a dispatch to Soviet embassies...

in France, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia...

If they so wish, any Russian in exile since 1917...

will be eligible for a Soviet passport...

and will qualify for repatriation to the U.S.S.R.

Thousands decided to return home...

the last travelers of 5 dark years in Europe...

that had displaced 30 million people."

EAST-WEST

You will soon arrive back in the motherland.

You left her 30 years ago...

but she never left you.

Now...

she needs you, all of you.

The country needs rebuilding.

We paid a greater price than any nation...

but the war against fascism united us...

until victory.

The Soviet government opens its doors to you...

and welcomes you...

regardless of past events.

Too serious, Yevgeny!

Let's drink and sing.

Get out your passports.

The lowest number raises a toast.

Can I join in? The French police deported me.

Be my guest.

Guess who was given Soviet passport number 1.

The head of the Orthodox church in Paris.

What number?

I have passport 2002.

And my son Leonid...

has number...

2003.

Be patient with him, he speaks awful Russian.

With an accent, too.

Well, doctor? What number?

17.

It's up to you, then.

I'd like to thank my wife.

Marie...

I asked you to follow me. You did.

You left your family...

friends and home, without hesitation.

For that...

and for so much else...

I love you...

and I admire you.

To you.

Is what he said true?

You must be a brave woman.

Dear compatriots...

welcome to Odessa.

Welcome to our Soviet homeland...

to the victorious nation...

where, guided by Comrade Stalin, wise among the wise...

all peoples live as one family...

united and happy.

My God...

At last, in Russia.

Russia...

my land.

Passengers will divide into two groups...

as follows:

Kozlov, S. Vassilievitch.

Kozlov, S. Vassilievitch. Here.

Kozlov, L. Sergeyevitch.

Kozlov, L. Sergeyevitch. There.

But he's my son.

He should be with me.

Don't worry.

It's a mistake.

We'll soon sort it out.

I told you the truth.

I came with my husband. I'm a French citizen...

with a French passport.

You're mad!

Why...?

You work for the secret services...

of your country.

You're talking nonsense.

I want to see the Consul.

And the Queen of England perhaps.

We've been watching you, Golovin.

You're a good doctor.

We have work for you.

Where's my wife?

Forget your wife. She's not wanted.

We'll find you a Russian wife.

I offer him a woman. He says no.

Your wife is a spy.

Is that a joke?

Not at all.

90% of emigrants returning to Russia...

are imperialist spies.

We'll leave you your son.

Where's my wife?

Don't destroy your destiny. We trust you.

Do you really want your wife?

We need a little talk, then.

Where's Serioja?

They're fetching him.

You're leaving now.

Where to?

Kiev.

Your new tenants... French.

Tell them I'm the supervisor...

and that we have strict rules.

I speak Russian.

Who are they?

French, apparently.

Hello. Petrov.

Alexei.

My wife, Marie, and son, Sergei.

Welcome.

Have you come to visit?

No, to live.

Does your wife speak Russian?

She's going to learn.

If you need any...

Sacha, fetch some bread.

This is your key.

I'll be very clear to avoid any problems...

especially for her. You translate.

Let's go.

5 families live here. The rules must be observed.

This table belonged to the previous tenants.

Now, it's ours.

The bathroom.

Our day is Thursday.

That's our laundry day.

Never leave the light on in the toilet.

Do you like it here?

What does a traveler need?

Strength and courage.

That's right, darling.

I'll be right back.

You couldn't know.

Nobody could.

We'll give back the room and go home.

They can't force us to stay.

I can't live here.

Nor can Serioja, nor you.

Somehow, we'll get back to France.

Every prison has a way out.

Forgive me.

I worked on the machines...

for six years.

I know how they make your back ache.

Fine. In terms of the air they have to breathe...

what steps do you take?

We'll install pipes to humidify the air...

and make the dust fall.

Just like in France.

Forget France!

We know how France exploits its workers.

You're here to work...

not to change everything.

I am responsible for 2,000 workers.

I take their health seriously.

Frenchy!

Wrong table.

Sorry.

Leave her alone, you drunkard!

Why did you come? Didn't you know?

You speak French?

I had a French nanny.

It was in this apartment...

but in a different life.

Good health.

Join in with me, you know the words.

Why stop? It was very pretty.

Madame Marie... Chapkas!

You want to buy one?

No, thank you.

I'll do it cheap.

They could get it for us for what it costs them.

Do they steal them?

They have suppliers all across town.

Here, take your chapka and go.

Careful, you talk too much.

Enough. Get out!

I had their room as a girl.

Where you are was my mother's music room.

My dear, what a mess you're in.

Try to forget France.

Good evening.

Vodka!

My soup's ready.

It's all a mistake, Sacha.

I'll be back soon.

Keep swimming. It's your only chance.

Don't provoke them.

Are you a Young Communist?

Answer me. Are you?

Yes.

Get a grip then.

Calm down.

There...

That's better.