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Skupljaci perja (I Even Met Happy Gypsies) (1967)
I MET A HAPPY GIPSY, TOO
Hop in, Tisa, you'll get soaked. Are you running away again? -No, I was at my aunt's. Mirta sent me. -Like hell he did! Mirta says you want to be a caf singer. Is that true? I'm not ashamed of that. I don't want to tend geese all my life. Has Mirta plucked the geese yet? Not yet, they're not ready. Has he got a buyer? -I don't know and I don't care. What do you care about? Boyfriends? That's none of your business. -You are my business. Look at yourself! You belong in a feather bed. Shut up, you dirty Gypsy! You're a dirty Gypsy yourself! Don't worry, there'll be plenty left over for your bride-groom. My taxi is not a bordello. -Shut up and drive! The driver's right, leave me alone! I know him. He's just teasing. See, I got you home safely. I didn't bother you. Stop roaming around. It's more dangerous than you think. Tell Mirta to stay out of my territory. I'll stay out of his. There's plenty to go around Vojvodina. Can you give me What's it for? -Thanks. A new scarf. These geese are well-taken care of. Their feathers are the best quality. A goose is a goose, mother, and I know what I can pay. That's too much! At least pay as much as erd. -How can l? I have to make a profit. I can't sell them for less than what erd offered. We have to stay with our price. If you need money, we could give you a loan. Mother, you know very well that geese always grow new feathers. The sooner you pluck them, the faster they'll grow. Do you mean it, about the loan? Do you have it on you? Don't you worry, mother, just pluck those feathers. Leave it, we'll pour our own. -You make five times that amount. Bora, what's the idea? -Did you see those under-nourished geese? Only a sucker like me would buy them. -Give me 30.000. They're quality church geese. They're on special food. Milance, tell me if it's right that Bora gives me only 30.000. That's none of his business. He's police. That's why I want his opinion. Milance, come here a minute. Sit down, Bora is buying. You can only drink with a Gypsy, or throw him in jail. We're no more crooked than anyone else. We're only trading, doing business. Take a seat. -She'll skin you alive! Not me, I can handle her. Music! ...1, 2, 3, 4... -Shut up! The baby's sick! You drunken bastard! I should scratch your eyes out! Let him be. He's so drunk, he won't know the difference. Not while he's here. Tomorrow, after he's gone. -Come on! Don't cry. I'll help you bury her. erd, what are we going to do? The child hasn't even been baptised. How can I bury her? Don't worry. The Lord giveth and taketh away. We'll bury her this afternoon. -I don't want that! She's my first-born and she has to be baptised! -All right! I'll manage somehow, no matter how much it costs. Hello, Gypsy. Have any more antiques arrived? How about the antique desk? Did you keep it for us? Hey you crook, when are you going to join the working class? A crooked gypsy or a crooked worker. What's the difference? Mother, I brought you a child to baptise. Please, it's urgent! I can't baptise a dead child or bury it. I bought all your feathers and lent you the money. Do it as a favour. We may need each other. Hey, old man, open up in there! Open up! -Why are you shouting? Shandor, we have money to spend. You'll earn more, than picking up carpets. Get the cards out! -Who's going to deal? Sit down, old man, and take your percentage. -No more than usual. All aboard, I'm driving! Count what's on the table. That's my bet. Damn it! It looks like I'm out of gas! Toot, toot! I'll bet the minimum. Give me another 2, for the lot. -Not enough. Is that all you've got? How's this? It's Swiss. -All right. Of all the damn luck! -That's rough, Bora! I had 12, and you had 10. -Look out for the curve! You've got no more money. -Lend me 5.000. -No. Take my shirt and shoes. They're yours if I don't pay. And the jacket. Here's 5.000. One card. The end of the line! You've lost everything, you good-for-nothing! You've ruined me and my children and sold everything. What for? You good-for-nothing drunkard! You lousy Gypsy bastard! You kept on losing, until you lost the shirt of your back! How are we going to eat?! I spit on you, you pig! That's enough, Bora! She should have scratched your eyes out! You're a no good gambler. You should have sold your head. Go and buy more feathers. They have feathers in Padina. With what? -You'll find a way. You'll find the money, somehow. You pig! You've taken everything from the house! -Enough! Give me back my T.V. set, you lousy bastard! -Shut up! Shut up, or I'll kill you! I've had enough! You've ruined me! You lousy drunkard, scum! Brothers and sisters, today's sermon will be from St Matthew. I will speak Serbian, so that our Serbian brothers can understand. The man came, paid me well, then took them away. Was he a Gypsy? -I don't know. He was dark, like you. Where was he from? -Stop asking me questions! Try to remember! I've always paid you well. Tell me who he is. -Who, Mirta? -The sorter? Why didn't you say he was here! You only asked me where he came from, not his name. You're in my territory, Mirta! They're not your feathers! Who says? -We decided to split the villages between us! Look at the list! -I can't read. I could wipe myself with it. You can't read, but you can listen! Bacinci, Debeljaca, Gospodinci... Count them together with me! Ten for you and ten for me! Bacinci, Debeljaca, Gospodinci... Now, your ten. Dobanovci, Bogojevci, Sonta... See, an equal split! You should have known that Padina is mine! You're right. I was wrong. I can't return the feathers, I sold them. I'll stay in Apatin. I'll advance you the money. Buy the feathers, instead of me. We'll split the profit. -Are you trying to con me? Your father conned your mother! You take my territory, and split the work. You get the feathers, I'll sort and sell them. Bring two pitchers of wine, for Bora and me! Enough, already! He pinched me again! Hey, Tisa, why are you looking so sad? What are you doing up so late? -Sing us a song! -I can't. I thought you wanted to be a singer. Well, sing then! "As I travelled on my long journey, I met a happy Gypsy, too" That's enough! Go home! You've plenty to do do for your wedding! Can't you give me a moment of peace? I'm waiting for you to get rich. -It won't be long now. Forget about her, Bora. Here's 5.000. Now sing for us! I'll never play again! I'm sticking to music! ..."As I travelled on my long journey"... ..."I met a happy Gypsy, too"... ..."Hey, Gypsies!"... ..."Hey, people!"... Get up, you drunken bastard! Can you hear me? You Gypsy bastard! How much did you drink? Bora, help me! My sister would kill me, if l left him here. He's so drunk! Let's get him into the cart. Into the garbage cart, you Gypsy bastard! You can't wipe your own nose and you want to get married! Ruza! Take this! I'm going away on business. Who owns this flock of geese? -The one up front. Behind the coffin? -Further to the front. There's no one in front of the coffin. -What about in it? God rest our departed master's soul. -Bloody master! Where are the heirs? In front, leading the mourners. To each his due. Here's to the souls of the dead. And for the living, how about selling me your feathers. You don't have money for my flock. -I do. How much? What should the price be? -100.000 and no less. What'll we do, if we don't sell? Sell them another day. be plucked by tomorrow. Too much! -You won't find such down! Every Gypsy, when trading his horse, sings his praise. Anything less, no deal. -Forget it then. I don't carry that much money on me. Wait a minute! Wait, my friend! Dear Lord, stop running like an express train! You'll never be able to do business with those peasants. Come, I'll show you something. Feathers, lots of feathers! You must be married, a young fellow like you. I bet you were married Gypsy style and not in a church. People aren't virtuous, nowadays. So, a priest has nothing to do. When was the last time you thought of your soul? Bring your wife and I'll marry you properly. Praise be God! You want some? You Gypsies drink like fish. To you, Bora. You must have your marriage blessed. Listen to Pavle, a poor priest. -Are you a priest, or not? Of course! -I don't give a damn about priests! -Don't swear! We came here on business. All right, you dirty Gypsy. The feather bed of Brother Hrizosoma. This one belongs to Brother Pajsije. Now you'll see what a surprise I have for you. This is all that's left of Brother Jovana. Here are the beds of my brothers, but you haven't asked about them. Some have passed away, others have abandoned their faith. There's no life in the church. We're as poor as the Gypsies. Even you Gypsies are forced to work, because of the antichrists! Their souls will burn in hell, like shish-kebab. Believe me! We can't make a living anymore, Bora, everyone's corrupted. There's no place for angels on this Earth. Look at me. As soon as I sell everything to the Gypsies, I'll be leaving. Where will you go? -Germany. What's going on? Tisa's husband isn't a man, he's a child. -So? Tisa wants to ditch him. His mother wants to wait and prove he's a man to everyone. You can do it! -Go help him. He doesn't need help, he's a man. -Some man, just like his father! Shut up, you bitch! Get out of here! You belong under your mother's skirt! Show her that you can do it! Take him back! I don't want him! He's a man, you're just a slut! -I'm not! Your son's not a man! You cast a spell on him! -Go back to your mother! You've never known what a real man is like! She's a witch! Don't let them kill each other! She's killing my daughter! -Give me a knife! I'll kill her! Look at the dog! Where will you go now? Do you want to come to my place? I don't know. I don't want what's not mine. We're partners, as agreed. I advance you the money, you bring me the feathers. I don't disagree. We've always been good friends, Mirta. How much do I owe? First we finish this wine, then we talk. That makes... -Never mind. You have someone in your house that I want. Tisa is free again. I'll give you Padina and 2 of my villages. Why do you need Tisa? She only tends the geese. Find someone else. I have nothing more to say about our business. And Tisa, keep your hands off! -Mirta, I'm serious. I want to marry her, I even have a priest. I got rid of my old bag. I'm no worse than that kid. -Bora, you're not very smart. She's my stepdaughter. I want her married to a young kid, not a drunkard like you. That way, she stays at home, for me. Take back your territories. Don't come to my house again. Each man for himself. She's got a knife, Mirta! Get out! What do you want? Do you want to come in? Come on. Did you run away? -I'll promise anything, if you let me stay. I don't know where to go, or what to do. What am I going to do with you? I can't take care of myself. Here's 500 dinars. Go to Belgrade. My son, urika, is there. He's living with my sister at Zarkovo. It's not hard to find. Tell them his mother sent you. They might let you stay a week. Then, you're on your own, out on the streets. You'll see. Mirta asked to take good care of her. How should I know where they took her? I'm out 500 dinars. If she took my advice, she's in Belgrade, in a big city. Not rotting away, Gypsy style. What's she going to do in Belgrade? Walk the streets? She can either clean the streets or walk them. The bastard, Shandor, won't tell me anything. Money will help. Be quiet! You'll wake him up, Bora. You must be joking! I thought it was buried. Shut up, good for nothing! You haven't given birth to another? Say, between the three of us, we produce them fast. Don't talk so loud! He's my sisters, not mine. She brought him to us when her husband abandoned her. What else could she do? -All right, I get it. But she better get another man. There's plenty of man. Say, where's erd? I want to see him. You know where he is. I suppose he's getting drunk. I need money, erd. Hundred thousand. Are you out of your mind? Hundred thousand? You could turn me upside-down right here before you'll find that much. The money is gone. I bought merchandise. Beautiful old furniture, few armchairs, a set of doors. I spent the money. I must go straight to Belgrade to find a buyer. And where is that leave me? Hold on to my ears and go dancing for small change? That's not my business! There was once a man who made enough money to buy a rope and hanged himself! You can stay at my place if you have no place to go, but leave my wife alone! We'll go tomorrow to see the mother superior. She owes us money. She might pay us back. We can ask her anyhow. Rajko! How much do we owe? erd sent me. I need money. A hundred thousand. We lend it to you. I need it back. You should know better than to ask me for money. It's not June yet. Anyway, I can't pay you. It's not the time. Pretty geese! Pretty geese! Seed! Seed! We're very poor, my son. Poor sisters who pray for others and ask nothing more than to be good neighbours. Pretty geese! Seed, seed, seed! And besides, my son, erd said: you can pay back when we come for feathers. It won't be long. We'll pay you as soon as feather is ready. That's a great help! Give back my TV set! Give me back! The TV is mine! You dirty bustard! You drinker! Taking everything we have! Give it back to me! -Why don't you get lost! You heard what I said! -I dare you! You've ruined me! If you don't shut up, I'll kill you! I want my TV set back! It's mine! You rotten gambler! I'll kill you for this! Give back my TV set! Come on out, old man! Where is Tisa? I don't know. I swear I don't! I've got money. Tell me. You're scared of Mirta. Coward! I've got nothing to be afraid of, I just don't know. You obviously don't need the money. Bora, listen! Wait! How much money? -First, tell me where Tisa is. You Gypsy bastard! Give me 3.000 and I'll tell you where she is. It's a deal. Let's go, then. Where are you taking her? Leave her alone! May your eyes drop out of your head! Lord, I bring Thee Your humble servants, Bora and... What's your name? -Tisa. -That's the name of a river. You're lucky they didn't call you Danube. -Get on with it! In the name of the Father.... Any fish in the river? -Shut up! Bless this union of man and woman... Where did you find this sweet thing? -Just keep singing! ...etcetera, etcetera. Grant them peace and grace... In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Bora, you're finally married. You lucky girl! You should've done this earlier. Now, give me those crowns. I may use them again. One never knows. That's that. Now we can have a drink to celebrate. Have you decided where you'll sleep? -In the village. But it's the middle of the night! -We'll manage. We're used to it. -I won't permit that. Come. You will spend your first night in the house of God. This is your first night and God has blessed your marriage. You should sleep in Brother Hrizosova's bed. It's big and far away, so that I won't have sinful thoughts. I'll bring you an eiderdown, with angel feathers. My own. I didn't sell everything to you Gypsies. Light as the soul. Wait for me here. I won't be long. Remember me, I tried to buy your feathers. Be seated, the soup's getting cold. I came to make a deal. It's better that I take them, and not the plague. Here, read. It says: "The geese will die of the plague. It is spreading." We told you the price. If you have the money, take the geese. You won't find such beautiful geese. How much? Like I said, 100.000. -They all have feathers like an angel. Until they get the plague. get something. -What now? Nothing under 90. -lf he won't? -He'll accept. That's the price. -All I have is 90. All right, it's a deal. Get the flock together and we'll pluck them. There you are, my son. -From now on, Tisa will be staying with us. Ruza will also be staying. She doesn't bother me. I just made a deal with your son. Sell the feathers to me, not Bora. I can pay you in advance. I've brought you money. I can't sing. What have I done this time? What the hell! Bora, what have you done? -I've no idea. Article 132 and 76. That's disturbing the peace. -And a traffic offence. That costs 5.000. Disturbing the peace and a traffic violation. They'll put poor Sava in jail for 20 days. They'll only fine him 15.000. -20 days, for sure. Minimum penalty for assault and battery. Put up or shut up! He won't get a jail sentence. -5.000. -I accept. I'll bet you 5.000 he gets the jail sentence. -All right. Bora, you're not interested? I've got a job you might like. You can make a bundle selling horses, for a cut, at the fair. When are you going? -ln a day or two. Bora Pavlovic! Are you interested? -Sure. December 7, you threw feathers from a truck. Intentionally? Not really, I was drunk. Why do I have to keep fighting with you Gypsies? Which will it be? I'll pay. -All right, you can pay the fine. Bora, we know each other. -We do, Judge. How could you, a feather buyer, throw them? What can I say? I was drunk. I'm a Gypsy. I threw them and they floated, as if they had wings. Tisa, when I picked you up by the road, were you coming from Belgrade? -No. Have you ever seen the city? -No, I haven't. I've been there. Belgrade is a great city! Shut up, you old bat! -You good-for-nothing drunkard! Don't start again! Get out and don't come back! Find yourself another man! You hag, parasite! Have you really been to Belgrade? -I was born and raised there. It's great! Go, while Bora's away. I'll give you the money. Go to my family. They're street cleaners. I have where to go. Lence's son, he'll let me stay. Want to be a singer? I'll give you all I have, for the train. What are you staring at? Come here! Lence loves me very much and sends me everything I want. But I like Sombor more and I'd go back right now. How long have you been in Belgrade? -Two years. When I learn to use my wooden legs, I'll go home. Lence said that I could stay here for a while. -What does she know. Singing in the streets, you can just get by. You should have stayed with her, if you want to be a singer. Or you could be a street cleaner. It's bad, but it could be worse. Hey, look! Just what we need, to keep us awake. -Pick her up. Here I am, peek-a-boo! He said that you're a pretty girl. Give him a kiss, and he'll sing you a song. He's so bashful. No kiss? Where are you from? I'm a Gypsy from Sombor. Gypsies are all right! Leave me alone! Bitch! You lousy Gypsy! Have you gone crazy? Leave the girl alone! What girl, she's an animal! I know these Gypsies! He's crazy! What's wrong with him? Nothing but mud! What monotonous, flat country! -Yeh, what a place. What are you doing here, little girl? Tell me where she is. Tell me, or else! Give me back my T.V. set, and I'll tell you. Where did she go? -First, return my T.V. Hello, are you urika? -That's me. Tisa sends this, so you can go to the movies. Did she go back to you? -Where else would she be? She said she was going to Lenca's. She probably did. Good bye. Where is she? -What do you mean? Better talk, if you want to live! -Go to hell! You won't find her! Talk now, or you never will! She's with them other bastards. You won't get her. -Where is she? Go to Mirta! I hope he kills you! You admit that there were four stolen horses among them? Where did you sell them? -At the fair, in Dobanovci. That's where Mirta attacked you with a knife, then you killed him in the shed. -I swear, I'm innocent! Who else would have done it? -I swear to God, I'm innocent! We have witnesses. Better confess, then you'll get a lighter sentence. I'm innocent, I swear on my children! I'll do anything! Take him to solitary, to refresh his memory. Bora, the feather dealer, killed Mirta. The whole town knows that. Where's Bora, the feather dealer? -I don't know. Come here. Have you seen Bora Petrovic? -No. I haven't seen him. I don't know. He's disappeared. Bora hasn't been around. Damn police, leave us alone! I haven't seen him. He's been gone for a long time. Step outside. Have you seen Bora Petrovic? -Never heard of him. Haven't seen him for a long time. He used to buy feathers. How should I know. I don't want to see him. Bora has just disappeared. |
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