ROAD TO LIFE
Production
Films MezhRabPom
Silent screenplay
N. Ekk, A. Stolper
R. Yanushkevich
Photography
V. Pronin
Artistic director
N. Stepanov
Assistants: L. Voytovich,
A. Stolper
Sound screenplay
N. Ekk
Yakov Stollyar
Music
Yakov Stollyar
Sound operator
E. Nesterov
Direction
N. Ekk
Sound
recorded
on system
Tagefon
FLOOR GIVEN TO
THE POPULAR ARTIST OF
THE REPUBLIC
KACHALOV
Whose are these scrawny bodies
in lousy rags?
From whence do these dirty,
savage looks come?
What future awaits them?
What will become of them?
Street boy today,
enemy of labor and bandit tomorrow!
During the world bloodshed
their fathers perished in the Tsarist jaws,
invaders tortured their mothers
with a siege of hunger.
Early childhood left their faces
marked with the lines of anxiety.
They roamed through the cities
like a pack of nasty, starving wolves.
What will save them?
Charity?
Moral education?
They laugh at those things, just as we do!
But we know something better:
environment creates the man.
Having measured the power
of free universal labour,
the Republic of Soviets
will give them a start in life.
We are erecting Giants of Industry
in the unpopulated taiga.
We have found the lever which sets
the destiny of mankind in motion.
We'll teach these street boys
to make their way
in the new world.
We'll re-mould them into workers
of the world edification.
BE SURE
"HE'S YOUR COMRADE"
F. S.
FOMKA SHARK
Mikhail Zharov
Once upon a time there was on my lap,
A goblin with branches la la la
The goblin was well-known for what?
For his low pitched cry la la la
His larynx was hearty, and so what?!
He roared like a bull la la la
But did he have enemies la la?
His larynx was hearty so what?
He roared like a bull la la la
"SHE'S YOUR COMRADE"
but did he have enemies la la?
LELKA SWINDLER
A goblin with branches
That will be me! la la la
Maria Gonta
Dear fellow citizens listen to me la la
AND BE SURE
Theft is my skill and art, la la
FOMKA SHARK'S BEST ASSISTAN From jail I won't go out. la la
Reformatory misses me la la
STREET BOYS' LEADER
MUSTAFA DUDE
I'm singing on and on la la
What will I do later on la la...
- Chauffeur, to Yakimanka!
- Let's take a tram together.
Two and a half roubles, please!
Are you crazy or what, chauffeur?
Move on!
Gee, stop! Hey, guys.
Nowadays you know...
Who wants it?
Darling, come with me!
My galoshes!
Give back my galoshes!
In my day people didn't speak like that.
So, are you coming with me?
And your husband?
Coming! Coming!
So, shall we go to Kursovoy?
But why, mummy?
My dear! My sunshine!
Chauffeur! Krimskiy Val.
Chauffeur!
Madame!
You dropped a rouble.
Thank you! How clumsy of me!
- Thank you.
- You're welcome! It happens.
My case!
They've stolen my case!
Help! I've been robbed!
My God, Lidochka! What is it?
My case is gone!
- Who did they rob?
- It's none of your business.
They didn't rob you, did they!?
I put it right here, turned my back...
MOTHER -
MOTHER -
Regina Yanushkevich
FATHER -
FATHER -
Vladimir Vesnovskiy
SON -
SON -
Mihail Dzhagofarov
Father! Our Kolka
is fifteen today!
Aha! A well-grown boy!
He's now taller than his father.
Kolka!
Hurry back, mother!
Bring me an apple!
- How much are apples?
- One rouble.
- Expensive!
- Well, take a little more!
- Ok!
And you, what do you want?
How much are apples?
Hold him!
Let me go!
Buzz off!
Poor woman!
Bandits are growing up! Why bother
cradling them?
They must be shot.
It's not their fault!
Your mother's coming!
Go meet her!
Kolka!
Kolka!
We don't take the dead.
She's gone, Kolka,
your mother's gone!
FATHER...
...SON...
...AND MOTHER.
AFTER HIS WIFE'S DEATH
KOLKA'S FATHER BEGAN
TO DRINK HEAVILY.
She's gone, Kolka!
Mother's gone, Kolka!
You understand?
Dad!
FOR THE TIRST TIME
KOLKA
SPEN THE NIGH ON THE STREET.
DECREE:
On the night of December 20th 1923,
the arrest of street children will begin.
The arrests will be carried out by
teams of Komsomol volunteers,
under the supervision of inspectors
from the Children's Committee.
The assistance of the police and railway
guards in this task is hereby requested.
- Comrade Skryabina!
- Quiet!
Comrade Portvinov -
you stay at the door.
And you - cover all the exits.
CHILDREN'S
COMMITTEE
INSPECTOR
SKRYABINA
Maria
Antropova
Boys!
Sleeping in a bed
is more comfortable.
VASKA
BULLY
Aleksandr
Novikov
On your guard!
Dragnet!
Damn you all!
- Smash the cops!
- Pigs! Kill them!
- Kill the pigs!
Let me go!
Smash the cops!
Comrade Martynov!
Hold him tight!
He bites!
Get out! Get out of here!
Let me go!
Come on!
Anyway, we won't stay with you.
Damned cops!
Come on!
Come on, don't stand in the way!
Quick, quick!
From joints, underground nests,
caves and tumbledown houses
there were gathered that night
more than a thousand homeless children,
crippled by the street.
In the Soviet Republic
there shouldn't be
poverty-stricken
and homeless children.
May there be instead strong
and happy young citizens.
A SPECIAL COMMISSION
PERFORMED THE VAS AND COMPLEX TASK
OF SELECTING AND DISTRIBUTING
THE STREET CHILDREN.
What is your occupation?
I'm a streetwalker.
Give me her form!
Syphilis.
- That's all for the girls!
To the hospital
- Let the boys in!
To the hospital
Have you got any parents?
Have you got any parents?
How long have you been hanging around?
Why don't you answer?
What do you want?
Dope,
vodka and girls!
He said it!
Volkov - institution.
Oh! Mustafa Dude!
An old acquaintance!
- Hi!
- Hi!
Madam Pasha, hello!
Hello, Mustafa, hello!
- Where hasn't he been?!
- Who doesn't know him?
The leader of the whole gang.
- Mister Misha, hello!
- Hello, hello!
What was your last escape?
12 times for theft.
Escapes: 8
Arrests: 15
Did you escape from Rostov's institution?
I escaped.
From Saratov?
I escaped.
Have you been in Serpuhov's prison
in Moscow?
I escaped!
Where should we send you now?
I'll only escape!
To the reformatory then.
Lock him up!
Savatat kurjat
I'll escape! I swear it!
Where are you going?
Let's go to that room.
- I won't go! I won't!
- Let's go.
Come on, come on!
Here he is, Mustafa Dude!
Hello!
What do you want, comrade?
My son has disappeared.
Nikolay Rebrov
Is he here with you, comrades?
He doesn't appear on checklists.
Really?
Check the rooms.
Come with me, comrade!
A cop's coming.
Let's ask for shag.
This guy took 130 and
is afraid to play!
I'm a boy far from home,
forgotten by people.
Forgotten, abandoned,
long long ago
I've been an orphan,
with no smile.
I've been an orphan,
with no smile.
So I'll die, I'll die
They'll bury me
and nobody'll know
grave of me
and nobody'll know
the grave of me
And on my stone
no music plays
just early spring
KOLKA DISAPPEARED...
and nightingales
just early spring
and nightingales
Comrades, do you think...
Comrades! Attention please!
do you think that such
difficult boys ought to be isolated?
I flatly refuse.
In my opinion...
I say and I must insist: kids like
Mustafa must be sent to a reformatory.
Locking them up is no solution.
What do you propose?
Comrades, we must think about
what to do with these kids.
They run wild and escape from anywhere,
the devil only knows how!
Prison!?
Another solution must be found!
Yes. We have to think about it!
In my opinion there's nothing
to think about.
THE COMMISSION THEN commission then
DECIDED TO CARRY OU AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIMEN Ah! Comrade cop!
Hello, hello!
Are you off your rocker?
Saying hello to an empty room!
Hey you, sissy!
Why did they bring us here?
For examination or what?
Hey boys, look. Who's this?
Comrade officer,
you may go.
- You're what!
- Doctor!
Hey guys, he's a doctor!
Undress!
Here it is, undress!!
And pants, do we take them off?
You're a doctor, aren't you?
Okay, that's enough!
Come on boys, get dressed!
Get dressed, cheer up!
- Here it is now, get dressed!!
- Come here!
- First undress, now get dressed!!
- Come here. Come on.
Come on, cheer up, get dressed.
Sit down!
Undress then get dressed!
Look here, boys!
You're just sitting here,
spoiling the air!
You don't want to go
to an orphanage, do you?
No!
Right, right!
You're good guys!
What's there for you in an orphanage?
And sitting here is such a bore.
A real bore!
And, oh boys, it's so good
to be free right now!
So!
Here's the deal!
A secret one!
I'm setting up a factory -
a commune in an ex-monastery.
Join me. Who wants to come?
As volunteers.
We'll all work together.
Woodworker, locksmith, shoemaker,
mechanic, as you wish!
And you'll run the commune yourselves.
How's that?
Complete trust!
And you'll be free.
Who wants to? Speak up!
We know your communes!
You'll pen us in a fucking dump!
You'll put cops everywhere.
What will you feed us? Thin broth?
We'll be in prison
getting on the cops' nerves!
Go to hell!
THE COMMUNE'S ORGANIZER
SERGEEV:
Nikolay Batalov
Chew it over.
As you wish.
You can leave when you want.
Okay.
We'll go to your commune.
You persuaded us, doctor!
Effendi, good-bye!
THE BOYS AGREED
TO GO TO THE COMMUNE,
ONLY SO THEY MIGHT
ESCAPE ON THE WAY.
WILL THERE BE
MANY GUARDS?
Come out!
- Hello, comrade Sergeev.
- Hi!
- Your pass.
- Good.
WILL THE ESCAPE SUCCEED?
Well, boys, come on!
Come on!
What's the problem, boys?
Where is the guard?
There won't be any.
You're on your honour.
Come on!
WILL THEY RUN AWAY?
OR NOT?
RUN AWAY OR NOT?
RUN AWAY?
OR
NOT?
AT THE STATION
SOMETHING BAFFLING
HAPPENS...
MUSTAFA THE THIEF
IS ENTRUSTED WITH MONEY
IN ORDER TO BUY
FOOD FOR THE ROAD.
Come on!
RUN AWAY?
OR
NOT?
Come in!
GONE...
GONE...
Mustafa's here!
Skilful fingers don't cheat.
- That's great!
- Well done, Mustafa!
Well, Mustafa-
May it be the last time!
FIFTY KILOMETERS
FROM THE RAILWAY...
THE COMMUNE FACTORY
Think of this as a loan
from the governement.
You'll work it off.
Comrades! A telegram from
Sergeev's commune.
Mishka, more hot water
NOT ONE OF THE ELEVEN RAN AWAY
Vaska, rub my back
EXPERIMENT SUCCESSFUL -SERGEEV
Boys, I will now cut out
the last for boots.
This way!
Here's the last!
Well who wants to cut one?
Come on! Have a try, we'll see!
Mustafa, keep your end up!
AND SO BEGAN
THE TRANSFORMATION
OF PICKPOCKETS,
PURSE-SNATCHERS,
BURGLARS, HOUSEBREAKERS
AND THIEVES
INTO LOCKSMITHS, TURNERS,
FOUNDERS AND CASTERS.
BUT THIEVES' SKILLS
USEFUL TO THIS WORK
WERE NOT EASILY FORGOTTEN.
Mishka!
Someone swiped the spoons!
Really?!
Yes.
- Sit down, quick.
- Faster, find a seat!
- Ginger, here!
- Everyone has to gobble up!
- Give us some spoons!
- Where are the spoons?!
- Hey intendent, give us spoons!
Give me a spoon, give me a blade,
So good is my babe!
Somebody swiped all the
knives, forks and spoons.
If we don't find them, their cost
will be deducted from your pay.
A spoon!
It's hot!
Who stole the spoons?!
Give yourself up, Mishka!
I won't be no pig!
It's Grishka Cross-eyed who swiped them.
I know that son of a bitch!
Snuffy's eating and you're blowing!
See what good fellows live among us?!
I want spoons with my dinner! We won't
cover up for anybody. We'll find them!
AND IN THE EVENING...
How much is this toy?
Fish, golden fish!
FOMKA SHARK'S
NEW ASSISTANT.
THE STREET BOYS'
NEW LEADER.
KOLKA WHISTLE
Madame, step aside!
Do you have some cutlets?
Give me that green rubber band.
- Pirozhki, who wants pirozhki!
- Come on, roll up! - Roasted!
Fish, golden fish!
Stop him!
Stop him!
He stole some boots!
Beat him! Beat him up!
Catch him!
- Where is he?
- Behind the tent.
Here he is!
Look! They're running!
Beat him up!
- Bandits!
- They all should be killed!
- Why are they beating him?
- He stole some boots!
You shouldn't beat a person.
There are judges!
To judge what! Just hit him on
the head with the weight!
Kill him!
Why are they beating him?
Maybe he didn't steal them for himself.
Maybe he walks barefoot.
- Poor kid.
- We mustn't pity them, but kill them!
He's not guilty!
Come with me, mister, to the police.
You're charged with bodily harm.
Speaking!
Where are you calling from?
- Step up here, comrade!
- Go, he must be arrested!
Comrade chief, I held this citizen for
grievous bodily harm.
Your papers?
I don't appear to
have them with me.
Only this document.
FRIEND OF CHILDREN.
TRADING LICENCE
ISSUED BY M. Somnin
TRADING LICENCE
ISSUED BY M. Somnin
Hey you, friend!
What a bastard you are!
Fathers and mothers!
And if your son,
your dear one were hit?
If his face were smashed
against the pavement?
Would you shoot?
Would you kill?
CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
CHILDREN'S DEPARTMEN We want to go to the commune.
We want to make boots
with our own hands.
- Move away!
- Why are you gathered here?
Disperse! What do you want?
- What's your problem!
- Stop messing about.
Get lost!
They want to go to the commune!
They want to make boots
with their hands.
Understand?
Ah, those bastards! Good boys!
The fuzz got scared!
They flocked like an army.
Brave boys! Good!
Kolka brought us here.
He led us here to go to the commune!
Winter passed.
The commune grew and developed.
The workshops were processing
on a large and important order.
The awl, the chisel and the saw...
...were giving people a rebirth.
It looked as if labour
had won for good...
but...
the spring brought unexpected results.
The elements' fury affected the commune.
The delivery of raw materials stopped;
production ceased.
Unwelcome inactivity followed.
Rows began.
- It's like we're under arrest.
- Not even a town nearby.
- Let's leave this place!
- We wish we could work!
- Just hanging around.
- We want to work!
We can't play cards or drink vodka.
No vodka!
The machines are at a standstill!
To hell with the commune!
Right!
Silence!
Silence, d'you hear!
Comrade Sergeev!
We can't stay without work.
The boys are getting edgy!
Nikolay Ivanovich!
Make a decision!
Alright, boys!
I'll go to Moscow.
I'll discuss it.
Let's play!
- It's my money!
- No, it's mine.
- I'll show you how to cheat.
- You'd better look out! - Take that!
FOR FIVE DAYS THE BOYS
HAD BEEN MAKING TROUBLE.
Why hasn't Nikolay Ivanovich
come back yet?
What are we gonna do?
Boys!
- Ginger! Why did you kill Snuffy?
- It's our mutt.
What do you care, you, midget?!
They've driven us miles from
anywhere but we'll leave anyway!
We're lying idle;
becoming sissies.
Destroy the workshops.
Smash everything!
Smash everything to fucking pieces!
Come on!
Destroy the workshops!
Everything!
You'd destroy your living!?
Live here yourself, you bugger!
Hooligans!
Boys! What are you doing?
Can't you see they're
destroying the workshops!
- Beat him!
- Kick him in the teeth!
Let me!
Let me, I tell you!
And you came on your own
to make shoes in the commune.
Hey you! Swine!
What's been going on?
Boys!
He killed Snuffy!
Well,
you sure made
great use of your time!
And I brought you...
...a little present!
Look!
We'll be building a railway
from the commune to the station.
And you'll be fully responsible
for its upkeep, boys.
- Do you understand?
- Yes, we do.
- Shall we go?
- Let's go.
- Mustafa... will be an engine driver!
- Engine driver!
And Kolka will be a fare collector!
Fare collector.
I'll be...
...a switchman!
Whoever doesn't want to work,
whoever wants to make trouble,
then let him...
...leave now!
Well boys, I hope I've said it
once and for all!
Boys!
Toss Nikolay Ivanovich!
- What?
- Toss Sergeev!
Boys!
Here lie the tracks.
Nikolay Ivanovich!
The machines won't stand still anymore.
You, poor head of mine
Will still I bear you for long?
You, my fatal destiny
Will I still...
live for long?
THE UNDERWORLD STARTED
TO BECOME CONCERNED.
Why did I come into existence?
What did my mother beget me for?
THE BEST BOYS HAVE GONE AWAY
In order to experience
prison.
Mustafa's gone!
Kolka Whistle's gone!
Don't stand on ice,
cos' ice will crack
Don't love a thief,
He'll hit the sack
Hey, the soup is hot, and so is the kettle,
Hey, tears are dripping...
AND...THE UNDERGROUND...
...on the handle. The thief'll collapse
CONCEIVED A BIG BUSINESS
and will glide high.
You won't like that!
Hey, the soup is hot, and so is the kettle,
Hey, tears are dripping on the handle.
Clients!
Hello, old chap!
Come in!
"Here we value our dear visitors"
"Here to drink, smoke and dance
is highly valued...
...and to kiss...
...girls also"
Visitors have arrived!
Welcome them!
THAT IS HOW,
IN AN ABANDONED
FOREST WORKMAN'S HUT,
THE BIG BUSINESS BEGAN.
Workers! My respect!
Get out of my way!
That was some walk they took!
To Nikolay Ivanovich,
my respect!
Fifteen days!
Fifteen days of drunkenness
and shirking at work.
You drunken mugs,
where did you get pissed?
Oh why, by what coincidence,
to me you're the only one to please
and all the others I just tease?
They ripped my new dress up,
And poked my right eye out
It was the first time, so no!
don't scold me, mum, don't shout!
Oh why, by what coincidence,
to me you're the only one to please
and all the others I just tease?
Oh my! The woods are deep
And daddy is single though
But when he marries then,
Where shall mummy go?
O Oh why, by what coincidence,
to me you're the only one to please?
Sing Gavrila!
The boys were slipping away
more and more often.
THE PUTRID WIND OF VICE
REAWOKE OLD HABITS.
Foma, play Gavrila!
SHARK WAS TRIUMPHANT
In this world there's two burglars I know.
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
I'm the first, the second's Gavrila.
- Gavrila!
Gavrila! that's right!
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
He looks like me, I look like him
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
Like two peas...
- ...in a pod!
- Right!
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
One day when we took a walk.
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
scratching guitar and crowbar
- Crowbar! Right!
In some rooms we had a look.
rrrrara, rara-ffft!
Everything that was there... ffft!
- We lifted!
...we lifted it! Right!
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
Here some copper found us both
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
Gavrila and I in that house.
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
But when we ran away from him,
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
Only our heels could be seen!
Gop tiry tiry boombee ah!
THE MAIN MEMBERS
OF THE COMMUNE...
Mustafa! Kolka!
Visitors!
Come on, welcome them!
Hey! Look at those teddy boys!
Our hard workers came!
Meet the smart guys!
Come on, let's get plastered!
Come here!
Kolka! Youri Ginger!
Come in! Sit down!
Snacks are perfect!
- Let's raise our glasses.
- And share the bottle.
Youra, finish your glass!
On the table there's an inkpot,
In the inkpot there're two quills.
Farewell, papa, farewell, mama,
I'm going to the Caucasus
- Dance, Mustafa!
- Come on, boy!
- I dare you, Mustafa!
- Drink, Mustafa, I dare you.
Play!
Oh by what... coincidence
to me you're the only one to please
Pour some vodka!
Wait for my signal!
Come on, come on, come on!
Get ready!
Come on!
What's your name, eh?
Hands up, you rascals!
You brought girls
to muddle the boys up!
Well, Mustafa!
You became a cop!
Hold the drunken bastards!
Here!
- Swine!!
- Fucking cops!
Destroy Shark's fucking nest!
Drunken mug!
- You dirty pest!
- Hey, swine!
Destroy this filthy nest!
Swine!
Vermin! Cross-eyed mugs!
So you girls got drunk!
Congratulations, boys! You sure made
great use of your time!
A great use of your time!
THE WHOLE CAMP IS
DEAD TO THE WORLD
EXCEPT THE WATCHMEN.
I'm alive, daddy. Hello!
We're building our railway.
Come to the opening.
I'll be the first engine driver
on the first steam engine.
And I'll be...
... a fare collector.
And Mustafa will be the
first engine driver
on the first steam engine
And I will be a fare collector.
The commune workers welcome
the first steam engine!
AND ONLY BY NIGHT,
WHEN THE PREPARATIONS
HAD BEEN MADE
FOR THE NEXT DAY'S
CELEBRATION
OT THE NEW RAILWAY,
COULD MUSTAFA GO
TO THE STATION.
I'll be the first one to return
on the first steam engine!
Good-bye, Mustafa!
Song in Mari language
You!
You damaged the rail!
At the opening
of the railway
Hello boys!
Hello comrade Skryabina!
- Hello!
- They came to see us!
How's life?
THE WORKER'S DELEGATION IS HERE
- It has never been so good!
THE WORKER'S DELEGATION IS HERE
- Hello comrade Martinov!
- Hello boys!
- Here's our steam engine!
- It'll take us to the commune.
Kolka!
Nikolka!
Father!
When are we leaving?
When Mustafa comes from the commune.
Something's delayed him.
We'll wait a little.
Okay.
AT THE COMMUNE...
Nikolay Ivanovich!
Nikolay Ivanovich!
Mishka!
- Vanka!
- Oy!
AT THE STATION...
It's time to go!
The opening of the railway
turned into festivities.
The commune workers and all the people around
prepared to welcome the first steam engine.
Nikolay Ivanovich!
Fomka Shark's knife.
Boys!
Why aren't they coming?
THE
FIRST ONE
ON THE
FIRS STEAM ENGINE,
AND HIS BEST FRIEND
KOLKA WHISTLE.
They're coming!
Play!
Hurrah!
How can this be?
Mustafa
wanted to be the first engine driver!
To those of you
who survived the famine,
to those of you
who got a fresh start in life,
to those of you who campaign for
an end to homelessness,
and to you, the first president
of the Children's department,
the best friend of children,
to you, Felix Dzerzhinsky
this film is dedicated.