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Open up, for the love of God!
I was attacked by bandits.
Turks?
Honestly...
Turks, Moldavians, Greeks...
What is it to me?
Let me in, for pity's sake.
The barbarians killed my escort
and stole my luggage, my horses...
I am wounded.
I've nothing left.
Keep on your way, sir.
We open this door to no one.
Find shelter for the night.
And tomorrow at dawn,
take the path leading west.
Walk without stopping.
You will come to the house of old Gorcha.
He will find you provisions and a horse for your journey.
Gorcha, you say?
Fine.
Whatever happens,
do not stop on the way.
The forest seethes with danger.
Farewell, sir.
THE VOURDALAK
Don't hurt me!
Ma'am, I am...
Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé.
Envoy of the king of France.
Apologies.
Sir, I...
I'm a traveller who lost his way, looking for
the house of old Gorcha. I was told he could
come to my aid.
What happened here?
Is this the work of the Turks?
Are the inhabitants safe?
Sit down.
He wants to see the old man.
Thank you kindly.
I'm dying of hunger.
Ma'am, I...
I am...
Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé, diplomatic envoy of the...
king of France.
Anja!
Father?
Vlad!
Your father's home.
Praise the Lord.
Jegor.
How I missed you.
What on earth are you wearing now?
Is Father awake?
Who's he?
Sir, I am
Marquis Jacques Antoine Saturnin d'Urfé,
diplomatic envoy of the king of France.
An unpleasant incident resulted in the loss
of my escort and luggage.
I was told that one Gorcha could give me a horse to travel onward.
Naturally, upon safe arrival, I'll ensure the gentleman is
richly compensated.
This is old Gorcha's house.
We are his children.
I am Jegor,
his eldest son.
And this is my wife, Anja.
Our son, Vlad.
My brother, Piotr.
And my sister, Sdenka.
We rarely receive visitors, sir.
Certainly not of your rank.
But you are welcome here.
We'll do all we can to help.
Jegor, we have no horses left.
Anja...
They took all of them.
I know where to find one.
I'll fetch it tomorrow.
I thank you, sir.
Most charitable of you.
You will have noticed
our village was ransacked by the Turks.
Barely more than a month ago.
I defended as best I could my family and home.
Following that,
I joined the few local survivors who had taken up arms.
We pursued them.
We laid a trap for them.
And we took revenge.
We slit a dozen throats.
Unfortunately, their leader...
vile Alibek
escaped us.
Interesting. It so happens...
I too belong to a family famous for feats of valour.
Not against the Turks, naturally. Against...
the lords of Beaujeu.
In the...
13th century.
I'll go and greet my father to ensure he can see you.
Father?
His room is empty.
Where is he?
Answer me. Where is he?
He's gone.
What do you mean, gone?
Gone to fight.
Fight?
He took down his old musket and left.
He refused that anyone might call him a coward.
This is absurd.
How could you let him go?
At his age? In his state?
Where'd he go?
Which direction?
What did he say?
"My children.
"I'm going.
"Wait six days for me.
"If, after those six days, I have not returned
"say a prayer in memory of me,
"for I shall have been killed in battle.
"But if ever
"and may God preserve you
"I were to return after six days have passed
"I enjoin you to forget I was your father
"and to refuse me entry
"whatever I may say or do.
"For then
"I shall be no more than an accursed Vourdalak."
What is this nonsense?
Are you all out of your minds?
When did he go?
It will be exactly six days tonight, at six o'clock.
In that case, let us be ready to welcome him.
Anja, prepare supper. Do not skimp!
Sdenka, pick blackberries for him.
And you,
change your clothes.
Let's go.
Well then,
thank you for the broth. It was...
It was delicious.
Another helping?
No, thanks.
Excuse me, may I ask a question?
I heard a word whose meaning I don't know.
What is...
a "vourdalak"?
I don't know.
Not very friendly, your sister-in-law, Sdenka.
Yet
that was her downfall.
How come?
Poor girl!
Falling like that for the first vagabond passing through.
Around here, word gets out.
And that is why no one ever wanted to marry her.
Alas!
She's forced to stay here.
With us.
Forever.
Which
we wouldn't mind
at all.
But she's always daydreaming,
mumbling prayers,
and doing things...
Strange things!
I think she's gone mad.
Well...
Thank you for the broth.
What a pretty picture.
Do you want some help with...
picking?
You like blackberries?
Yes, I...
I adore them.
I loathe them.
You must be
very worried about your father.
No.
Tell me. What is a...
A "vourdalak"?
What's the point? You wouldn't believe it.
Say anyway. I like novelties.
There are things it's preferable not to mention.
If you say so.
Sdenka!
Beautiful Sdenka!
Your eyes are like flames that...
Here.
An apple.
Refrain from judging us, stranger.
And we'll refrain from doing the same to you.
Here.
Why torture me so, little peasant?
Why such cruelty?
Come.
No one will see us.
Wait.
First, I'll show you something.
The spot where I like to bathe in secret.
Follow me.
Wait for me!
Where are you?
Follow my voice.
Help!
Imagine if someone should happen to fall.
Imagine his skull hitting the rocks below.
Do you hear the foul crunch of bone?
Frightening, isn't it?
I'd offer you my arm
but I'd say you've held it enough for one day.
You're no better than the catty coquettes at the French Court.
The French Court?
Yes.
The Court of...
Why?
You're interested?
Say anyway.
What's the point, ma'am?
There are things not to mention.
I miss the Court.
And what I miss most is French cooking.
Dinners.
Conversation with pretty ladies.
There are very few here.
I share your opinion.
By the way,
you tasted Anja's cooking?
I miss the festivities, too.
Balls.
Dancing.
What are you doing?
The saraband.
Or...
the minuet.
It's ridiculous.
Stop it.
Definitely not.
It's so enjoyable.
Try it?
Never.
What is that?
A map of Europe.
Look.
But it shows all the roads.
The roads.
Mountains, rivers, yes.
You see?
France is here.
And we are...
Over here.
I should have liked to leave.
And go anywhere.
Only sadness and brutality flourish on our lands.
Why do you stay?
Where would I go?
All my memories are here.
The cliff is my only friend.
I'll dash myself from there the day my misery is complete.
I enjoy life.
But it's not what I prefer.
What are you saying?
His name was Jovan.
He wasn't from here, and had neither future,
nor money to offer me.
But I loved him.
We wanted to run far away.
Alas...
someone found out.
We'd arranged to meet at midnight on the clifftop.
I waited a long time.
A long time.
And I heard the gunshot.
I went home to bed.
This is where I buried him.
Where my dreams lie now.
But my dreams still talk to me.
Everything talks to those who can hear.
Even the dead.
Give me your hand.
My hand?
Here.
How awful!
Anyway, I don't believe in fate.
Naturally. You have none.
Sdenka!
The bell.
It's six o'clock.
He's not returned.
Our father is no more.
Nothing proves he's dead.
He himself said it.
Quiet, idiot!
I didn't ask you to speak.
Not so harsh.
Quiet, all of you!
I am your elder. And you must obey me.
My God! Father!
He's breathing!
Wait.
How long has he been there?
I'm sure he's been there for days.
Our own father!
Don't do this, Jegor.
Shame on you all!
Father, are you wounded?
Sit! He needs air.
Father, can you hear me?
That dog...
Make it shut up.
Piotr, obey.
My goodness.
You should have some food, father.
I'll bury him.
You are in pain, father.
What madness,
going off to fight the Turks alone.
At your age.
Especially after I had gone to fight.
Alibek.
Hang it over the door.
So everyone knows he is no more.
And that it was at Gorcha's hand
that he perished.
How can this be?
Are you laughing at me, lad?
Yes, grandfather. You're funny.
How I love the boy.
Is there a purer treasure
in this world
than that innocent gaze?
Come along, it's late.
Vlad, come to bed!
Yes!
Father, I must tell you we have a guest at our table.
A foreigner.
A rich lord lost on our land.
He has no horse and tomorrow I'll go...
I hope my lord will forgive the modesty of my abode.
We are but humble folks.
And if our manner seems blunt,
may he grant
that we're not used to welcoming at our table
powdered courtiers.
Pardon me?
I am very weary.
May my lord forgive me.
We shall talk tomorrow.
Carry me to my room.
And put me to bed.
Dogs do not think.
Their brain, paltrier than that of man, does not allow them to...
bear judgment.
Nor to make conjectures.
However, when a dog loves you,
that love is unconditional.
It is so, whoever you may be...
however you may appear in the eyes of those who think,
make conjectures,
and allow themselves to bear judgment.
Here.
You lost it.
Thank you, sir.
Come.
I'll show you to your room.
There you are.
I hope
it suits you.
Yes, it's...
It's perfect.
Thank you kindly.
Good night, sir.
Good night, Piotr.
What are you doing here?
Dancing.
Why?
Up.
Jegor wants a word with you.
Morning.
Sir...
Come.
Jegor, your son's caught something.
Not now, Anja.
I don't understand.
I stayed at his bedside the whole night.
I suppose I must have dozed off for an hour.
Or two, at the very most.
You have no idea, I'm so ashamed.
If something happened to him, I'd...
I must go after him.
Let me come with you.
No, I'll go alone.
Of course, you will have to wait for your horse.
I understand.
Please, listen to me.
He has a fever.
He's not eating.
Anja, calm down.
Let me past.
For your father, you'd abandon your son?
What kind of man are you?
It's only a fever. Put him to bed.
I'll be back this evening.
Don't worry.
Thank you, sir.
I'm scared I'll go mad.
What's wrong?
Last night, I had a terrible dream.
I could hear something.
A kind of voice.
Whispering.
There.
In Vlad's room.
I got up.
I waited for my eyes to grow accustomed to the dark.
But nothing changed.
I wanted to call to Vlad.
But I didn't dare.
As if I were terrified at the idea of someone hearing me.
And suddenly,
very far off...
a sound.
A sound so obscene
and repulsive.
Like soggy chewing.
My hands encountered something.
His little bed.
But Vlad wasn't in it.
I looked
but all I could find was
a sheet that was damp
and soiled.
And just then, the air filled with such a...
stench!
It was unbearable. Sorry...
What's wrong with him?
Nothing.
Strange. I too had a troubling dream.
Come.
Will he die?
If we do nothing, probably.
Say what?
We need hawthorn branches.
Garlic flowers and quaking aspen.
Quaking aspen?
I know a spot.
Where are we going?
The branch to your left.
That will do the trick.
Piotr, trim it and cut it to a sharp point.
Might I know what this is for?
A stake.
A stake?
So be it.
Things of the tomb must stay there.
Our father is no longer our father.
He is vile carrion,
who has come back solely to drink our blood.
A vourdalak does not attack at random, sir.
It delights most in the blood of close relations
and those dearest to its heart.
They die and, in turn, come back.
Whole families and villages have been decimated.
Love itself is a curse in these parts.
It's said they soak up their slobber
by chewing the shroud they were interred with.
They chew like pigs while spying on us.
You're serious?
They're sly, pernicious bloodsuckers, sir.
Nothing can kill them.
To stop them doing harm...
either burn their house,
have a man of God sprinkle them with holy water,
or immobilise them.
When the dead try to rise again,
our only salvation
is to nail them down.
Let's go in. It's time.
Wait for me.
You don't mean to kill your father?
Catch your breath, sir.
At all events, you walk at a good clip.
You would leave far behind my friends at Court.
Whatever you may think of me, I also have woman friends,
to whom I am close and greatly respect.
Lucky you.
It's highly amusing.
They walk seldom, usually from one chair to another.
Lucky them.
For longer distances, they call for a sedan chair. Imagine!
Fascinating!
Truly!
I need tales of the Court now.
Formidable pertinence is a French trait?
Come.
I don't understand...
I looked everywhere.
No sign of him.
We'll keep the lanterns lit
and the front door open,
in case he comes home tonight.
As for your horse...
It's not the priority.
Don't worry.
What is that?
Stand aside.
What did you do to him?
Answer, you wretch!
Let him go.
You know what's happening.
The old man warned us.
May those who won't open their eyes answer for our imminent woes.
Take off that cloak.
It's not yours.
They're taking leave of their senses
with these old wives' tales.
To think my brother believes in them, too.
It comes as no surprise.
You know what he played with as a boy?
With ribbons.
You must think we're brutes, my father and me.
Truth is, if this family's still alive,
it's thanks to us.
Definitely not thanks to their gris-gris
and their songs.
As an educated man,
don't tell me you believe vourdalaks exist.
I don't know.
No.
Of course not.
Why not vampires while we're at it?
Yes.
Vlad!
Come closer.
Boy!
Stop. Where are you going?
Wake up.
Can you hear me?
Where are you?
Show yourself, sir!
Sir, if I weren't in your debt for your hospitality,
I might doubt your intentions towards this boy.
Is that so?
Yes.
I forbid you to approach him.
I warn you I'm armed.
And how.
This legendary rapier saw my ancestor through the Italian wars.
I won't hesitate to use it.
Well then...
So...
in order to protect my family, my lord stays among us.
My lord is too kind.
But is it not my daughter's petticoats that detain him?
You wouldn't be the first, you know.
You...
You're mistaken, sir.
My intentions are the most upright.
I confess, I feel for Sdenka...
profound affection, but not in the least reprehensible.
I know only too well.
My lord is admirable.
His heart is pure.
His blood is noble.
And if he were to persist in staying among us,
I would have no choice but to accept him as one of us.
And in the end, no doubt, I'd...
love him.
Jegor!
Your son!
Your father!
The snake is in its pit
And the wolf sleeps tonight
All is quiet, my dear child
Above all, make no sound
There is the fruit of our negligence.
Father!
Praise be to God. You're back!
What have we done to the child?
What have we done to the sun of our later years?
He was the best of us.
Alas!
Our tears won't bring him back.
Be strong, my son.
My lord...
Timely arrival, sir.
As head of this family,
it's for you to bless this grave.
You hear?
Bless the grave immediately.
I command you.
You command me?
Piotr, how dare you?
A son commanding his father?
Has that ever been?
Say the prayer.
And if I refuse?
You're not our father.
Piotr, stop!
I'm not your father anymore?
In that case, who am I?
Now, Piotr. Do it.
Yes, what are you waiting for?
Do it!
I knew it!
Sissy!
Shame on you.
Attacking me...
When I have nothing but love for you all.
Even you, daughter.
You, who sordidly dishonoured us
with that vagabond.
Fortunately, my old musket watches over the family.
Let us leave Jegor to his paternal duty.
Let's go in.
Nothing is sweeter for a father than a home at peace.
Sit down there, make no fuss.
His home must be cruelly missed by my lord.
How might we alleviate his pain?
I know!
Let's dance.
Dance with my daughter.
You're dying to.
Dance, I said!
There we are.
Where's the stake?
Piotr has it.
I'll fetch it.
My lord's calves! How they must enrapture
the young ladies at the French Court.
How I understand them.
My son, there you are, at last.
Don't go catching cold.
Here.
Come.
Come with me.
Look.
How you cut a fine figure!
You are like me, Jegor.
You are a conqueror.
You are a man!
Flee.
Escape.
I went hard on you.
But I have no regrets for...
Back, corpse!
Even dead...
you come to torture us.
It's the end for you, monster.
Jegor,
Sdenka, grab him.
If a father is not everything for his children,
he is nothing.
Bury him with his dog.
Little brother.
Listen...
I'm sorry.
Look at me, Sdenka.
We must leave.
We must leave now.
Remove your hands from my sister now.
Everything was fine here before you arrived.
You, stranger, brought misfortune on our family.
I am a man of honour.
My word is my bond.
Tomorrow morning, you'll have your horse.
You will leave and never come back.
If ever I see you again, sir,
without hesitation, I'll kill you.
Mama!
Flee, Anja!
That's not your son.
Vlad!
My boy!
Listen to me!
Go home!
Save your breath.
He cannot hear you.
He's dead drunk.
That's not your son, Anja.
You buried him, you poor loon.
You think I've forgotten?
So, flee!
Flee!
We both know what he is now.
You think that death
and all the demons in hell
might, for one second only...
prevent a mother
from embracing the child
that was torn from her?
Brute!
You are all
brutes!
Mama!
I'm cold.
My little boy.
A bird.
You hear it?
Listen.
It heralds my arrival.
Say what?
Piotr!
My darling brother!
The bird was sent by you.
You alone kept me among the living.
But you have arrived now.
And I shall join you.
I have woven hawthorn.
The circle is closing at last.
Fair bird...
Go and tell my cliff
to open its hospitable arms.
Amid the vapours of sage and incense,
I shall leap from its edge.
Go!
Little bird.
Fly fast.
My journey is ended.
My misery
is complete.
Don't do it. For heaven's sake, no!
Sdenka, come back!
Release me, I beg of you.
So my brother kills you?
What a good idea!
Wait here for your horse, sir. And leave!
It's better for everyone.
Don't do anything! We'll leave together.
I'll take you to the Court.
I'll show you the gardens.
The balls.
You'll be happy.
I swear.
The Court.
With pleasure once.
Alas...
Farewell, Sdenka.
Farewell. Thanks for everything.
Thank God.
Come!
We must go.
What are you doing?
Pull yourself together.
This really isn't the time.
My lord's taste is quite exquisite.
Why?
Sdenka, where are you?
Sir...
Here at last.
I owe you an apology.
I let my temper get the better of me.
And I bitterly regret it, my friend.
Come back, my friend.
Come back!
Sdenka!
Wait!
Don't resent me, handsome stranger.
Don't hate me
for not knowing how to be free.
Cruel destiny!
If only
I had met you earlier.
How different my life might have been.
I love you.
A curse on you.
Don't jump, Sdenka.
My time is short.
But you're free.
If you feel any friendship for me
listen to what I will say.
Don't leave the world without knowing it.
It's vast and surprising.
It will please you.
Go, perhaps, to the French Court.
Yes! Why not?
Go and show
those people what beauty is.
What nobility is.
Live as you please.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
From Duchess of Gramont's diary...
Versailles, 7th June 17...
Towards four in the morning, my maid entered,
followed by a most singular creature.
A foreign woman, confused and as pale as tallow,
who seemed to require my protection.
I had no hesitation taking her in.
God! Such a mournful expression, yet such a graceful manner.
I've known the poor child but a few hours,
and am already most fond of her.
I do believe she begins to love me, too.
Subtitles: Simon John