The North Wind (Северный ветер)

Let me introduce myself: My name is Margarita,

I'm the head of the Northern Clan of the Third Northern Fields.

Right now we are running away

with my secretary Misha and valet Vasily.

We're trying to hide in the sector of the Thirteenth Hour.

I'll tell you now what that is.

A family legend says

that there is a secret Lunar Clock in our park.

It has an extra hour engraved on its face —

the "Thirteenth" or "Twenty Fifth".

And all family members possess this hour,

where they will be hidden from the sky navigation, from Death itself.

Nobody knows if that's true,

but they say that our great grandmother

disappeared on the thirteenth hour' vector

in order to meet her beloved one after her death.

I'd like to tell you my story so much!

And I'll begin, I guess, at midpoint.

Let's go back 30 years ago.

That was a magical time, when the Great Matriarchy reigned.

The women of our Northern Clan headed by Eternal Alice and me

ruled in absence of men and lived waiting for them — strong and beloved.

I for one dreamed about a grandson.

Mother! Fannie has arrived!

Come, Vasily.

That New Year was the happiest, I think.

Benedict, my son, was awaiting his fiancee Fannie

so as to introduce her to our family.

- Good evening! - Mother! This is my fiancee, Fannie.

- Happy to meet you. - Very happy. I'm Margarita.

- This is my sister. - Faina.

- Nice to meet you! - I met Fannie's plane.

Well, take off your coats.

- Thank you. - Vasily, get the bags!

Won't you be staying with us?

No, I've promised our parents.

- Well, that's it?. - I'm off. I love you.

- So long! - Time soon to sit down for dinner.

Good bye!

- Good bye. - See you.

Vasily, champagne!

This is my sister Lotta.

Whenever she came back from the fields,

she brought whatever she could lay her hands on.

On that day she brought a stag that, she insisted, belonged to no one.

Come on, move it. Here we go!

Don't get stuck! Move it!

Pakhom! Jeremy!

Get rid of the ladder!

And get a move on!

The guests are on their way!

And see to it that everything is picture perfect!

- Are you here, Vasily? - Indeed I am.

Fine... Fix the monograms!

Will do!

- Make sure everybody's got napkins. - Of course!

- Prepare the champagne! - Will do!

Marfa! To the kitchen! Hurry!

Bring the fish!

Wheel me to the tree!

- Vasily, may I open it? - Of course!

I'm the best Champagne opener!

You are the best in everything!

Here are the glasses.

Where are you off to?

Again, eating? You shouldn't! You've already eaten so much!

I'm not on a diet!

What diet?! Just look at your belly!

Look at it.

How will we ever give you away?

Here! — throw it away later.

Oh my God...

What is it? Where did she find it?

How can it just lie here in the everyone's way?

Oh my God... We have to get him out, Katenka!

He'll scare away all the guests... Get up!

What a disgrace! Come on!

He's so cute!

You'd better just shut up!

Cling to the wall! I always say you've got to lose weight!

Where is your mother?

Where did she find it? Come here.

Is it a she or a he?

Let me take a good look. Stay still!

May I treat him to some chicken at least?

Get out of here. He'll be poisoned.

What?

I've taken everything into account.

Add this...

Good Lord...

And this...

Are you crazy?

Profligates!

Parasites! Peculators!.. Go!

Go! That's it!

I can't bear it!

And so we gathered together!

This is our cousin Boris, who came all the way from Alaska

for Benedict's and Fannie's engagement.

On his right is my secretary, Mishenka.

This is me, Margarita, sitting next to my sister Lotta,

the keeper of safes and keys,

and also a passionate fan of theatre and Indian cinema.

This is my son Benedict with his fiancee Fannie.

I can't remember if I've ever seen him that much in love.

This is Ada, my sister Lotta's illegitimate daughter.

My mother's companion is perched next to her.

We simply call her Shadow.

This is Eternal Alice, my mother,

the chief of the Northern Clan of the Third Northern Fields.

What windy night!

And how the chandelier is swaying!..

Well!

Have you all got pencils, paper, wishes?

Mishenka, give them all pencils.

You have to think up your wish for the next year

and write it down

and burn it quickly over your glass of champagne...

...and drink it with the ashes.

But you must do it while the clock is striking midnight.

Otherwise your dream won't come true.

And you — Fannie?

Have you come up with your wish for the next New Year?

From this day on there is only one.

If I choose the most important of all,

it's that you, Benedict love only me.

To the grave and beyond.

Our toast, our family, our northern toast!

Our toast!

Yes!

My glass is empty!

Fannie, you must tell us how you met Benedict,

when you first saw him...

Once after landing the whole crew went to the airport cafe.

We sat there for five hours because of the fog.

And then you came in, Benedict.

And our pilot, his buddy, called him over.

And Benedict sat down with us,

directly opposite me.

And he started to look at me with such pity.

Started to look at me with such pity.

Started to look at me with such pity...

I told everyone I had never kissed anyone on the mouth,

which was the truth.

I leaned across the table and kissed Benedict.

On the mouth.

And he kissed me back.

And I couldn't stop that kiss.

He moved over to me

and we kissed until the fog cleared away.

I really wish I didn't have to leave you!

But I have a flight tonight. Remember, I told you?

- I do. - Where are you flying to?

- Somewhere over there!.. - She's hard of hearing.

I'm a flight attendant! I've always loved planes.

They say the two most important things are

work and love.

But it's work that wins.

We'll buy a plane for Fannie,

so that she doesn't fly away from us on foreign ones.

We have enough money in the family and we'll buy a plane for you.

And Fannie will give us a grandson.

I've already chosen his name.

His name will be...

...My Hugo.

Why "My Hugo"? Why not "Our"?

- Well, his name will be Our Hugo. - His name will be Our Hugo.

- That's for me! - Mother?

- Ada, who is there? - Wait, Benedict!

- Mother is waiting for someone all the time. - Wait!

Who can that be?

Maybe it's for me.

I don't know. Let Ada open the door and see who it is.

- I need to talk to you, Margarita. - Go see who is there.

- No, business first. - What business?

Very important and intimate business.

I was at church this morning for the sermon.

And count Roman was there.

He is very upset that you didn't invite him.

He asked me to give you the present he prepared for you.

- Count Roman? - Yes.

- He is so wealthy! - How does he look? Now...

The same as before.

He is so rich. You could live with him now...

No.

How could you...

...accept this gift?

Mishenka, go and return it right now.

Immediately.

- But... - No! I can't.

I'm waiting... for someone else. You should know!..

You won't change your mind?

I've been thinking a lot... No.

I can't.

Go, Misha!

That was our clan's most important ritual,

to be together every New Year,

to give presents and make wishes.

No one dared missing it

because that was a harbinger of ill to come.