Text / (US) Michael Hoffman
translation / Fu Lan
Happy families are all similar, and unfortunate families have their own misfortunes.
——Leo Tolstoy: "Anna Karenina"
1. Exterior scene, field, daytime
shot from a height of a train running in an open river valley, the smoke from the front of the train is clear A long trail was drawn under the Russian sky.
2. INT. SECOND CLASS CAR, FIELD, DAY
Leo Tolstoy (age 80) sits in his seat and writes with a tablet on his lap. He is undoubtedly the greatest writer alive at this time. He preached pacifism, abandoned the red tape of the Orthodox Church, and advocated the simple Christian life, and won the admiration of many people as a living saint. Accompanying him on the trip were his very young wife, Countess Sophia, his beloved daughter Sasha, and his personal physician, Dushan Markowitzky. Sasha and Du Shan are also writing their own diaries. Sophia looked at them one by one impatiently. The train began to slow down.
Sophia: Why did the car slow down?
No one answered. The train is getting slower and slower.
Sophia: The car is about to stop. Why should we stop?
Sasha: I don't know, Mom. Don't understand what's going on.
Tolstoy raised his head and looked at the conductor passing by with questioning eyes.
Sophia: Excuse me, why did the train stop?
Conductor: A group of people, madam, a group of ordinary people, blocked the track.
We heard voices from far away.
Vocals (off screen): Long live Tolstoy! Long live the great fighter!
Sophia: They blocked the tracks and the train couldn't go... You should tell them to get out of the way.
The conductor shrugged and walked forward. Sophia went to the car window to take a look. About a hundred people who looked like farmers and students blocked the tracks and surrounded the locomotive. They held banners that read "Long live Tolstoy" and kept chanting "Tolstoy, Tolstoy, Tolstoy". "You are the truth!" "You are the hope of the Russian people!"
Sophia: Oh, they won't let it go. We're stuck here, Lev, Lev, go and say a few words to them. Only then can we leave this place.
The voice of the crowd grew louder. Tolstoy stood up, walked to the car window, and faced the crowd. The call grew louder. Tolstoy raised a hand to signal everyone to be quiet. The crowd gradually quieted down.
Tolstoy: I saw your slogans and I heard your shouts. You see me as Russia's hope, don't you? But in fact this is not the case. You are the hope of Russia and the hope of the world. Didn't you say you wanted to live a new life? But you lift me up like that and I won't get a new life. So, I hope you do your business well, and let me, the poor old man, do mine well.
The crowd shouted again: "Get out of the rails, let them pass, let them go!" Tolstoy closed the windows. The train restarted and Tolstoy waved to the crowd.
3. EXTERIOR, FIELD, DAY
As the train goes away, the camera turns to the cheering crowd. We saw a handsome young man with a somewhat reserved expression, but with a bookish air. His name is Valentin Fyodorovich Bulgakov. He exclaimed enthusiastically, over the rumble of the train.
Valentin: Do you know who this is? This is the greatest man in the world.
The train is heading into the distance.
Subtitled on black background: Spring 1910
4. EXTERIOR, Yasnaya Polyana, Dawn
Early Spring, the old house where the Tolstoy family lived for generations.
Several peasants were transporting firewood and water to the house. A carriage came and unloaded many pouches.
5. INT. Yasnaya Polyana, Sofia's bedroom, daytime
The room was magnificently furnished, with portraits of ancestors hanging on the walls. The icon is placed in the most solemn position, but it does not seem to prove the piety of the owner, but shows a deep-rooted concept, a noble status.
Countess Sophia silently prayed the morning prayer in front of the icon. Then wipe away the tears and walk out of the room.
5A. INT Yasnaya Polyana, Foyer/Staircase - Day
Sophia walks down the stairs, through the hallway, past an old servant who is dozing in a chair, to a room on the ground floor.
6. INT Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy's bedroom and study, during the day
Tolstoy had already moved down from his comfortable upstairs and lived in this humble pavilion-like room, which he used as his bedroom, Also used as a library. The walls were empty, except for a picture of his beloved daughter. The furniture is very rudimentary, some of which are obviously made by him: a small plank bed against the wall, a small desk in the corner, some books are piled on it, some papers are scattered, and many mails, some of which have been opened , and some restore seals have not been moved. There is a pair of handmade shoes next to the woodworking workbench.
Tolstoy fell asleep in bed. Although it was late March and the weather was still cold, the windows were open. Sophia closed the window and stood silently watching Tolstoy fall asleep. She sat down on the edge of the bed, touched his hand lightly, and whispered.
Sophia: Honey.
She lay down next to him with a shy, hopeful look on her face, as if wishing that he would wake up and be kind to her. But he still fell asleep. She took one of his arms gently, placed it under her neck, turned to him, and let his arm wrap around hers. This seems to be a scene of intimate sex play between husband and wife.
But his arm slipped off her shoulder again and again. She reluctantly pulled the arm back into place again and again. He turned slightly to her side. She leaned up and kissed his neck and cheek. We couldn't tell if he was awake, but the seeming intimacy alone was enough to shake her head.
7. Delete
8. Interior, Moscow, study, daytime
The spacious and comfortable study in the Moscow apartment of Vladimir Grigoryevich Chertkov. Chertkov was Tolstoy's brightest and most staunch believer. He was receiving Valentin Bulgakov, Tolstoy's new secretary, the young man we saw by the train not long ago. At this time, the topic was about the relationship between men and women, and a shy look flashed on Valentin's face.
Chertkov: Speaking of relationships...you're 23 years old, it's not easy to control yourself at this age, is it?
Valentin: Tolstoy disapproved of frivolous sexual relations. I know this.
Chertkov: He did despise that relationship...
Chertkov picked up a small box of beard wax.
Chertkov: I don't want to talk too much about it, but last year I arranged for him a squire, and he got two maids in a row, which made him very unhappy.
Valentin: There will be no problem in this regard. I am an ascetic. And I'm sticking to vegetarianism.
Chertkov nodded in approval, then began toying with his beard.
Chertkov: Yes, I have heard many good things about you. I also read the article you wrote. He also read it.
A look of pride flashed across Valentin's face. Chertkov caught a glimpse of his expression from the reflection on the glass of the bookcase, and his moustache moved slightly. He stroked the beard vigorously.
Chertkov: My dear young man, it is a great blessing for you to be Tolstoy's private secretary. You will be by his side every day, eating with him and walking in the woods with him.
The envy is beyond words.
Valentin: Honestly, since I became a Tolstoy believer, I have had such a strong desire to learn, to explore ideas, to cultivate my own soul.
Chertkov (smiling): Very well, of course we need a lot of work to spread his cause to the people.
Valentin: Us?
Both laughed.
Chertkov: Yes, it's us. We want to be able to advance the movement of passive resistance... Think about it, Valentin, millions of ordinary Russians are about to get rid of the spiritual shackles and political oppression of many centuries...
Valentin: To pursue truth and freedom.
Chertkov: Truth and freedom, yes, but, my child, there are so many enemies before us...
Valentin: Enemies?
Chertkov went to the window and motioned for Valentin to come too. He pointed to two plainclothes standing on the street below.
Chertkov: That's the Tsar's police...you get out of here and they'll follow you...and the church, and they'll do anything to force him back. His children can't be trusted either...except for one Sasha...and, of course, the Countess...(Pause) Of course, we definitely don't want to get involved in the affairs of the couple, but she's so stubbornly clinging to private property , and publicly denounced our movement... (pause) The point is, he needs someone with a brain like you around him who can assist him with his new writing and who can understand his goals.
Chertkov walked back to the desk.
Chertkov: Even though I was allowed to go back to the country, I couldn't go to see him. Now it's restricted to me... I'm afraid I'd like to lock me up too.
Chertkov looked very frustrated. He paused to adjust his mood, then took out a package and handed it to Valentin.
Chertkov: I want you to put these letters directly into his hands. Because what we give him cannot guarantee that he will receive it.
Valentin looked at him suspiciously.
Chertkov: Sofia Andreyevna does not respect his privacy at all.
Valentin: The countess would never open his private letters...
Chertkov raised one eyebrow. There was an ominous silence.
Chertkov: I have another task for you.
Valentin: Please speak.
Chertkov: You are going to write a diary for me.
He took out a notebook and gave it to Valentin.
Chertkov: I need to know everything that happened in Yasnaya Polyana. I need to know who is coming to visit, if anyone is involved in the copyright issue of his work, if he has any contact with the church, any correspondence. (Pause) Sofia Andreyevna will say something.
Valentin: All the words?
Chertkov: She is the most terrifying person.
9. MOSCOW, ON THE POOR/Street, Evening
Chertkov kisses Valentin affectionately on both cheeks, sending him all the way to the dark outside.
Chertkov: I wish you all the best, my boy.
Valentin went to the carriage that was waiting for him in the street.
Chertkov: Remember what I said.
He walked back into the dimly lit porch.
Chertkov: Write everything down! Go!
10. EXTERNAL, Yasnaya Polyana, Courtyard, Morning
Sofia. The black-and-white clip shows her standing on the steps to take the newspaper, looking up at the camera, unhappy to be filmed.
Switch to color. We see a cinematographer standing in the middle of the grass shaking the camera's handle. Sophia went into the house.
11. YASNAYA POLYANA - Tolstoy's bedroom and study - Morning
Tolstoy is awake, clothed and sitting on the bed, writing his diary with a pen in one hand. Du Shan sat next to him to check his pulse.
Tolstoy: Nothing will help... Pass me that boot, my friend?
Du Shan: Let me finish the pulse.
Tolstoy: All right. Even though my heart stopped beating, I was going to ride a horse for a lap today.
Du Shan: It is my duty to record your pulse. If you insist on riding, I ask that you must wear a coat. Although the sun is shining, it is still cold today.
He dropped Tolstoy's arm and handed him his riding boots. Sophia came in angrily with some Russian and foreign newspapers.
Sophia: This is unbearable! Pure nonsense! These parasites! You look at... (reads the paper) "The Countess Tolstoy and her husband are separated, and they rarely talk to each other."
She threw the paper on the ground.
Sophia: You know who's spreading the bad news...
She opens another newspaper, a French one.
Sophia: C'est la mê me en France (Note 1). Spreading gossip about us in Paris... "The couple have their own opinions about religion and politics." Nonsense!
Tolstoy (smiles): Peut-être (note 2). Do you think they are wrong?
Sophia: I thought it was none of their business!
She saw that Du Shan wrote down her words verbatim in his diary. His conversations with his master were always recorded in this way.
Sophia: What are you doing? Don't memorize these.
Tolstoy (with a laugh): Dushan Petrovich, are you scribbling again?
Tolstoy walked to the door with firm, strong steps.
Sophia: Where are you going, honey?
Tolstoy: Go horseback riding with Sasha. Don't wait for me to have lunch.
He suddenly remembered something, walked back to the writing desk, picked up a pen and hurriedly wrote something on a small piece of paper.
Sofia: Levotchka (note 3), why do you have to dress like this.
Tolstoy: What's wrong with this?
Sophia: Like a shepherd.
Tolstoy: That doesn't bother you.
Sophia: That's what gets in my way, because it doesn't make sense. You are an earl, for God's sake.
He put down the pen, walked up to her, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and walked out of the house.
Sophia: Hey, honey, I still have something to say.
Tolstoy (off-screen): Come back, dear.
Du Shan: He forgot to wear a coat.
He picked up his long fur coat and chased after him, but the hem of the coat prevented him from running.
Du Shan (off screen): Count Tolstoy, you forgot to put on your coat.
At this time, Sophia saw a photo of Chertkov hanging on the wall. She took off the photo and threw it in the corner.
12. EXT, YASNAYA POLYANA, YARD, DAY As
soon as Tolstoy appears on the porch, there is a rustling of a movie camera. A large group of photojournalists, cinematographers, journalists and Tolstoy followers all longed to see the master. Du Shan rushed ahead of Tolstoy.
Du Shan: Please let the old man go.
A reporter: Count Tolstoy, the tsar's treatment of your secretary, Nikolai Gusev, must have made you very unhappy, right?
Tolstoy: Those were robbers.
Du Shan: Please get out of the way and let the old man pass by.
Tolstoy: They broke into my house and took people away, but his only fault was to express a more rational outlook on life than ordinary people.
Reporter: So Gusev is innocent?
Tolstoy (nodding): Of course. I am the guilty one, I am against the Orthodox Church, I curse the existing system, I do not hide that.
A young farmer shouted in the crowd.
Farmer: God bless you, Tolstoy. We thank you.
Du Shan: Please let the old man pass by. (To Tolstoy) You don't have to take these people too seriously...I'm not as generous as you are.
A photographer's flash snapped. An old farmer stroked Tolstoy's sleeve as if expecting some miracle.
Sasha, Tolstoy's most beloved daughter, was walking toward them with two horses—one her mount and the other her father's black gelding.
Sasha: Dad.
Tolstoy: Sasha!
Sasha: Did you ride a horse this morning?
A small group of people gathered around to watch the father and daughter hug and kiss.
Panoramic shot of two riding away - cut to
13. INT, YASnaya Polyana, foyer/staircase, same time as
Sofia watches her husband and daughter ride away.
14. EXT. RIVER VALLEY, DAY
A train winds its way through an open valley.
15. INT. TRAIN CABIN -
In a crowded third-class carriage during the day, a neatly dressed Valentin looks out of step with his surroundings. He was writing something in the notebook Chertkov had given him. He looked up and accidentally saw a young mother in the opposite seat unbuttoning her clothes to breastfeed her baby. He suddenly felt shy, not knowing where to turn his eyes. An old farmer, seeing his bewildered look, winked at him and laughed.
16. EXTERNAL FILM TERIADINKI, TIGHT
Seven miles from the Tolstoy family's manor, called Teriyajinki, a village founded by Chertkov to study and practice Tolstoy's ideas.
Sergey Yanko: Teliaginki is the base that Vladimir Grigorevich created for our movement. We just had an Indian guest last week. We taught believers about the medicinal properties of snake venom.
Valentin: Oh my gosh... it's been a good time here.
Sergey Yanko: Yes, but we have to pay for it.
Sergey Yanko was Chertkov's hard-working secretary. At this moment he and Valentin were standing on the second-floor balcony, looking at the lawn in front of the house, where some young Tolstoy followers tended flowers and plants and built chicken coops.
Sergey Yanko: The synagogue is behind this house. This is the tool room. In front is the dormitory.
He pointed to a larger house across the road.
17. TERIAKINKI, Dormitory Area, Night
They Enter the House.
Sergey Yanko: Teliajinki is a free place. There are no taboos here.
Everything is free.
Sergey Yanko: Everyone asks only his conscience and his God. (Pause) The kitchen is down below. You help cook at least twice a week...and do labor in the garden. You know, we are all equal here, as Tolstoy taught.
The two walked up the stairs.
17A. INTERFACE, TERYADINKI, Dormitory Corridor, Daytime
Sergey Yenko: You will go to Yasnaya Polyana first thing in the morning.
Valentin: I am very much looking forward to this moment.
Sergey Yanko: Of course, you are lucky ... we all envy you.
18. TERIAKINKI, VALENTIN'S ROOM, NIGHT The
room is small and extremely simply furnished, perfect for a new ascetic. Valentin was pleased.
Sergey Yanko: Vladimir Grigorievich urgently asks you to start debriefing him as soon as possible. Did you take the notebook he gave you?
Valentin: Of course.
Sergey Yanko: You can understand that we have to keep this diary a secret.
Valentin smiled slightly.
Sergey Yanko: What about you?
Valentin: Not so much... Secrecy is not, in my opinion, the essence of Tolstoy's thought.
Sergey Yanko: But you have to accept that you are not in charge.
Valentin: Yes, I...I will see you tomorrow morning.
Sergey Yanko: If we are free.
Sergey Yanko left, leaving Valentin alone in this empty cell.
19. EXT. JELIAJINKI, VILLAGE, MORNING SUN RISING
. The believers are already working in the garden.
20. TERIAKINKI, VALENTIN'S ROOM - IN THE MORNING VALENTIN IS STILL ASLEEPING IN HIS HOUSE
. Someone knocked on the door.
Valentin: Please come in.
A beautiful and lovely girl came through the door. She looked in her mid-20s, tall, with prominent cheekbones and short hair. Her name is Martha.
Martha: I'm bringing you tea.
Valentin: Thank you for your attention.
Martha: You live here from today. Hope you like it.
She sat down beside the bed. He was a little surprised, and he couldn't accept such an intimate gesture. But Martha was unaware of his reaction.
Martha: Have you met Sergey Yanko?
Valentin: I saw it last night.
Martha: What do you think of him?
Valentin: He was very sincere.
Martha put the tea in his hand.
Valentin: Thank you, what are you laughing at?
Martha: You repeat what you just said.
Valentin: I said I thought he... what's the matter?
Martha: Do you really think so?
Valentin: I'm new here... What's your name?
Martha: My name is Martha. But you should still say whatever you want. Not just about him. We should all be like that.
Valentin: Thank you for bringing me tea.
The eyes of the two met, and they stared at each other for a moment. Valentin felt more and more cramped.
Martha: You can do it yourself tomorrow.
She walked to the door of the room, turned around, and saw that he was still looking at her.
Martha: He's an old bigot who doesn't like anything...but of course he's sincere.
21. EXTERIOR - The road leading to Yasnaya Polyana, with
a thin horse and a cart walking down the road during the day. Valentin sat beside the driver, watching the birch trees that lined the road and the long shadows they cast. Above, a few crows hovered lazily in the air.
22.
DELETED 23. INT. Yasnaya Polyana Corridor/Stairs, Daytime
Valentin stood on the corridor in front of the door and waited, looking bewildered.
Valentin: Hello, hello...
a voice (off screen): You are the new secretary.
Valentin looked up to see Sasha standing on the steps, looking at him.
Sasha: Daddy is out. Go to the library and wait a while. Let Ivan take you up there.
Sasha walked in, and Valentin heard the door closing. He saw a rude servant, presumably Ivan, walking around the house with a goat for some reason. He pointed upstairs and walked away.
24. YASNAYA POLYANA, LIBRARY - DAY
Now Valentin is alone facing Tolstoy's rich library. He walked gently to the writing desk, the holiest place where War and Peace and Anna Karenina were born. He stroked the old wooden countertop with his hand, looked back, and daringly sat down on Tolstoy's seat. In front of him were stacks of letters, many pens and pencils, and an open notebook. He was leaning forward to see what was written on it, when footsteps from the hall stopped him.
Tolstoy came in from the dining room, flushed cheeks, sweaty beard, and energetic looking ten years younger than his actual age. Valentin stood up hastily.
Tolstoy: I am glad you are here. very happy.
He walked briskly across the room, came to Valentin, and kissed the young man kindly on the cheek. Valentin was deeply moved by the enthusiasm of this great man.
Valentin: I...I...this is
—Valentin sneezed and interrupted himself.
Tolstoy: God bless you!
Valentin: I'm so sorry. I sometimes...
Valentin pulls out a letter of introduction. Tolstoy took it and put it aside without looking at it.
Tolstoy: Vladimir Grigorievich has given me a detailed introduction to you in a letter. I desperately need you to assist me in my work. The anti-government manifesto was very laborious to write. There's so much more of their mischief that I can't
even list them all...and that new book...Valentin: He told me about it...it's a very exciting job.
Tolstoy nodded in approval.
Tolstoy: I am now beginning to believe that all religions in the world have a very simple rule. Guess what that is? Love! Love! It's that simple... Now, I want to talk about your situation. Are you OK? Is it going well? Come here, sit down and talk.
Tolstoy sat down on an old couch. Valentin sat down with him.
Tolstoy: You know, I was born on this sofa...
Valentin got up quickly in surprise. Tolstoy laughed and patted the sofa.
Tolstoy: Sit down, sit down.
Valentin sat down.
Tolstoy: Myself, my brother, my children, at least five or six, were all born here. (Pause) I have read your article. How is your writing going now?
Valentin looked at the kind face of the great old man and tried to answer, but he was so excited that he wept.
Tolstoy: My child, what's the matter with you? (Pause) It's me who upset you. Is this sofa making trouble? It's just a sofa.
Valentin shook his head, smiling through tears.
Valentin: I am so happy. You are so kind. I'm so small, and you're...you're Leo Tolstoy, and you're asking about my writing.
Tolstoy took Valentin's hand and sat him down on the sofa.
Tolstoy: Calm down first, and I'll pour you a cup of tea. Calm down, we will work together for a long time in the future.
He smiled and walked away, leaving Valentin alone to contemplate his opportunity.
25-27. Delete
28. Exterior, Yasnaya Polyana, Courtyard
During the day Sophia, Sasha, Valentin, Andrei (who was one of Tolstoy's sons) and Tolstoy himself sat around a table drinking tea. Du Shan was tinkering with a gramophone on the coffee table not far away.
Sophia: Those people have nothing.
Du Shan: That's an unusual thing.
No one paid any attention to him.
Sophia: Farmers are not poor because of lack of land. They have no will, only alcoholism.
Tolstoy: I do not advocate giving them land. Private property is the bane of the problem...we should hand over our property.
Andrei: To whom?
Sophia: Those are all bizarre. Do you think they have a moral advantage because of their poverty?
Tolstoy: I believe that wealth corrupts each of us, I am sure of that.
A moment of silence. Valentin broke the silence.
Valentin: That's what our movement is all about.
Sophia: Oh, I know what's going on with your sport.
A moment of silence. Valentin saw the people on the grass in front of the courtyard slowly approaching and watching. Things had become completely private, yet the Tolstoy family neither saw nor cared.
Tolstoy: The peasants, when they have money, will never pay ten roubles a month to hire a large number of servants to serve themselves as we do.
Sophia: Of course, they'll spend their money on food, drink and prostitution.
Tolstoy: Valentin Fyodorovich, do you think that 50 years from now, people will still have a group of people around at dinner and serve them well?
Valentin did not know how to answer. Du Shan next to him let out a chuckle.
Du Shan: Ah, well said... well said.
Du Shan had already sat down at the dining table and was secretly writing down Tolstoy's words in a notebook under the table. Sophia flushed with anger.
Valentin: I thought... (he sneezes).
Sophia: Stop writing nonsense! (pointing to her husband) You all take him as your savior, don't you? He thought he was the savior.
An awkward silence.
Du Shan (hurriedly): I'm not... I don't take Lev Nikolaevich as a savior. Jesus Christ is the Savior, but...
Sophia: But what?
Du Shan: I believe he is a prophet. God speaks his word through his mouth. I heard that taste in his voice.
Sophia: It's unbearable. No wonder I feel so lonely. Turns out I was surrounded by fools.
Sasha: Mom, you're going too far.
Sophia: Am I going too far? I sit here listening to you talk about love, talk about God, talk about equality, and know plainly that this generous earl is determined to give all we have.
Tolstoy (extremely helpless): You are always like this... Why do you think that what I am doing now must be profitable, and I am doing it purely for the people.
Sophia turned around and saw Du Shan taking notes again.
Sophia: Forget it! Don't remember any more!
Valentin was very disturbed by the sudden onset, and looked at Sasha in bewilderment. There was an embarrassing silence. Du Shan wanted to ease the tense atmosphere.
Du Shan: In order to prove the value of my gift, I will now demonstrate it. It's really amazing.
He stood up, picked up a record and put it on the gramophone, put the cartridge on the record, and the gramophone was not playing music, but Tolstoy's voice.
This is a recording of a speech by Tolstoy not long ago calling for the abolition of the death penalty. His voice was loud, hissing, and distorted. Du Shan approached the gramophone, staring in surprise. Valentin was completely fascinated by this novel technology.
Valentin: This is your voice. It's amazing.
For a moment, everyone present was listening and watching Tolstoy to see his reaction.
Tolstoy: This stuff is annoying. Soon another great invention will surpass it.
Valentin looked down at the table with shame on his face. Du Shan tried his best to hide his disappointment.
Tolstoy: Pardon my bluntness.
Tolstoy stood up, left the table, and walked to the grass in front of him. Du Shan abruptly stood up and walked away, knocking the dining table and shaking it. The tea in the teacup spilled out, and Valentin hurriedly stood up to wipe it, and sneezed again in nervousness, and the people around said "God bless" in unison.
Du Shan: Lev Nikolaevich doesn't seem to like new technologies.
Sophia walked to the gramophone, took off the record, and replaced it with another one brought by Du Shan.
Suddenly, the final duet of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" played on the gramophone. Sophia went back to her seat. For a long time, people were engrossed in listening to that magnificent song. Tolstoy slowly returned to the table, standing still. Tears welled up from his eyes and ran down his cheeks.
Tolstoy: Ah, this is much better than that. this is not bad. it's actually very good.
Sophia walked up to her husband and wiped the tears from his face. Valentin saw the Tolstoys hugging each other.
Valentin (off screen): Did your parents often... talk frankly?
29. YASNAYA POLYANA, LIBRARY, OPENING TOLSTOY'S WRITING DESK IS SASHA'S WORLD IN THE EVENING, A LINE OF BOOKBOXES ARE BUILDING A SMALL OFFICE, WHERE TO DO HER WORK AND
PHOTOGRAPHY newspapers, edited manuscripts, and responded to endless incoming letters. Valentin sat next to her and watched her go about her affairs.
Sasha: My mother didn't understand what my father was trying to achieve, since he put writing fiction on the back burner. His devotion to his spiritual life annoyed my mother very much. They have been arguing like this for years.
Valentin: I believe she has good intentions.
Sasha looked at him noncommittally.
Valentin: Your father was the greatest writer in the world.
Sasha: Probably.
A moment of silence.
Valentin: I mean, I feel very lucky to be able to work here, it's a... honor.
Valentin felt more and more like he was making some vulgar politeness. Sasha turned her attention back to the letter in her hand. Valentin sneezed.
Sasha: God bless.
The two read the letter together. After a while, he sneezed again.
Sasha (angrily): God bless.
Valentin: I'm so sorry. I sneeze when I get nervous.
She thought this man was eccentric. At this time Ivan appeared at the door of the room.
Sasha: Is there something wrong?
Ivan: There's a note for him.
He shook his head towards Valentin.
Sasha: Then leave it to him.
Valentin took the note and read it.
Valentin: This is written by your mother, she is looking for me.
Valentin was about to walk away when
—Sasha: She's looking for the Allies, you have to pay attention. This is war.
30. YASNAYA POLYANA, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
In a small room separated from the dining room, Sophia is sitting on a couch with a cup of tea in her hands. Valentin sat next to her.
Sophia: I see that you are a very good young man. The eyes are full of spirit, the facial features are correct, and it is quite beautiful.
Valentin: Thanks for the compliment, Countess...
Sofia: Just call me Sofia Andreyevna. We won't talk about those fakes here, as you may have seen. (Pause) Many young people look old-fashioned because of their indulgence. You, I am sure, must be a true Tolstoy believer!
Valentin: I have immense respect for your husband.
Sophia: That's fine, he likes it.
Valentin: His ideas are very beautiful...social justice...very noble, don't you think?
Sophia drank the tea from the cup and gestured to the servant to refill the tea.
Sophia: He's very grateful for the help you've given him, that's what he told me himself. I think he was surprised that a young man could work so hard. He's fucking in the Caucasus at your age.
Valentin opened his eyes. She nodded.
Sophia: He wrote it all down himself. He also gave me a copy, so I read all those details...
Valentin: Thank you.
Sophia: Have you read War and Peace?
Valentin: I read it... twice.
Sophia smiled, appreciating his honesty.
Sophia: When he wrote this novel, he was much earlier than the monstrous thing Chertkov did in Telyaginki, and before that "new religion" and some revolutionary nonsense... (pause) By the way Come on, what do you think of Chertkov?
Valentin: He gave me this rare opportunity.
Sophia: But you have to see what a stupid idiot, what a self-righteous Puritan he is. Frankly speaking, it's a very pleasing thing to have him locked up at home.
Sophia smiled. Valentin was embarrassed by her frankness.
Sophia: When my husband wrote that novel, in the mid-'60s, he had me re-transcribe what he wrote every day. I was the only one who read his manuscript. Of course, I can also understand his intentions. Every afternoon we discuss revisions over tea. "Natasha wouldn't say that to Andre" or "Pierre is too innocent in this place, he wouldn't be that stupid".
She smiled as she recalled the past.
Sophia: But now my words don't work anymore.
A moment of silence. She took a sip of tea. She glanced out the door and saw Sasha walking around. Are you eavesdropping? Sasha walks away.
Sofia: You should assist me, Valentin Fyodorovich. All I want is for the good of my husband and the good of my whole family. If it's just directed at me, I can tolerate it. But they are trying to steal the inheritance that my children deserve, so I can't just sit back and ask. You know, I'm the only one who understands his intentions.
Valentin: I don't believe anyone would want to do that.
Sophia responded with a condescending smile. She picked up a package from the table beside her and handed it to him.
Sophia: Here's a little gift from me.
He opened the paper bag and found a small leather notebook inside. He stared blankly at it.
Sophia: This is a notebook. (Pause) Everyone should keep a diary.
Valentin: Around your husband, many people are doing it now.
Sophia: You're making fun of me, but I'm sure you'll keep everything down faithfully.
Valentin: That's not that easy.
Sophia: Nothing. You always listen to the words of your friends at Telia Kinki... (pause) Take note of everything you see and start from there. (word by word) You—see—everything.
Valentin touched the book with his fingers and tried to sneeze again, but he held it back.
Sophia: Would you like some more tea?
31. EXT. JELIAKINKI, THE VILLAGE - DAY
Valentin rides into the village on horseback. Some believers work outdoors. Suddenly there was a sound of metal hitting the wood. He followed the voice forward. When he came to a more open place, he saw Martha splitting wood with an axe. He was stationed to watch.
Martha: Are you done with your work today?
Valentin: He doesn't need me this afternoon.
He stepped off the horse. Martha continued chopping wood. He went over and picked up an axe, holding it awkwardly.
Valentin: Lev Nikolaevich disapproves of women's manual labor. (Slight pause) Don't you think it's outdated to do something like this?
Martha: No, I think it's very agreeable. I think you're out of date.
She laughed. Valentin picked up a piece of wood, stood on the ground, and chopped with his axe. He couldn't do the job at all. Martha smiled at his clumsy look.
Martha: His old man must like you.
What is she saying?
Martha: Sergey Yanko told me. He doesn't think it's fair.
Valentin: Tolstoy was kind to everyone.
The piece of wood was caught in the blade of the axe, which made him really helpless.
Martha: What are you talking about with the old man? (Pause) Why are you blushing?
Valentin: Tell me about me.
Martha: Oh.
Valentin: He asked me carefully about everything, about my parents, about whether I had a woman, about my faith in God...
He looked up and saw Martha was smiling at him .
Martha: Did there ever be a woman?
Valentin blushed, and hurriedly picked up the axe to chop wood. The piece of wood caught the blade of the axe again. He slammed hard on the ground, trying to shake the piece of wood off. He looked up and saw that she was still looking at him. He punched again and again.
Martha told him to stop, took his axe, and accidentally touched his hand. She lifted the axe, along with the wood it was holding, over her head and slashed down hard. The wood was split. She handed him the axe.
Martha: Before I came here, I had a lover...the principal of the school I went to. He has a wife and they have a good relationship. Our love is very difficult. We can only tryst at school.
Her frankness far exceeded Valentin's expectations.
Valentin: At school?
Martha: In gym class, after the girls are gone. There are grass mats on the ground.
Valentin: I understand...
He looked away to hide his embarrassment.
Martha: Did I make you unhappy by saying this?
He looked up at her.
Valentin: No...I admire your frankness.
Martha: But you don't approve of me, I can see it in your eyes.
Valentin: I don't, not at all...I think sexuality...there is absolutely no right or wrong in the union of a man's and a woman's body.
Martha: Listen to you, you are a complete Taoist gentleman. Just like Sergey Yanko. Otherwise, why would people find you to do this job?
Valentin: You're not fair...
Martha: I don't care if it's fair or not. That's it... there's no right or wrong... gosh...
Valentin: I'm leaving.
He put down the axe.
Martha: As you please.
She continued chopping wood again. The camera pulls Varenkin in front of him toward the house. Martha suddenly stopped what she was doing.
Masha: Valentin Fyodorovich!
He stopped and turned to face her with relief.
Martha: You forgot your horse.
Valentin: Oh. You know, I think I... don't mind.
He hesitated for a moment, then walked towards her. She turned her back to him and started chopping wood again.
He blushed, trying to maintain his little dignity.
He pulled up the reins of the horse and walked towards the house again, stumbled in a depression and nearly fell. With a flushed face, he stood firm and continued on. Behind him, Martha didn't stop chopping wood for a moment.
Sergey Yanko stood on the porch watching him come.
32. INT Yasnaya Polyana, Library,
Close-up of a telegraph machine during the day. There was a telegram on the plane.
32A. YASnaya Polyana, Foyer/Staircase, Day
Sophia walks in with a stack of mail.
Sasha trotted down the stairs.
Sasha: Where is Dad?
Before her mother could answer, Sasha walked past her to the door.
33. Deleted
34. EXTERIOR, Yasnaya Polyana, In the Woods Daytime Valenkin
accompanies Tolstoy on a walk in a sparse forest.
Tolstoy: I can't write. Can't seem to concentrate... Last night I had a dream about a Tatar girl I knew during the war.
Valentin: Killed?
Tolstoy: No, no...a girl I've been in a sexual relationship with...we sometimes do it twice a day.
Valentin sneezed.
Tolstoy: God bless... I will never forget the time with her, our position, the smell on her...
Valentin: You shouldn't torture yourself like that. That was many years ago.
Tolstoy laughed.
Tolstoy: Torture? You are still a boy, aren't you?
Valentin: I'm trying to be...you know, to be...
Tolstoy: What to do, to be a good follower of Tolstoy?
Tolstoy smiled slightly.
Tolstoy: You see, I'm not a very good follower of Tolstoy myself. When you're asking for my opinion on anything, think about it...torture... (he laughs again).
Valentin: Are you all right?
Tolstoy: Her name is Kalia... She's an old woman now, with gray hair and an aging body like mine. She probably didn't remember my name long ago, I thought. She might even be dead. (Pause) Do you think that makes any sense?
Valentin: What do you mean?
Tolstoy: I mean such a small affair. Does it make any sense?
Valentin: That's an interesting question. I think you'd say...I mean, I've read you say that the body is not a real thing. It was all an illusion.
Tolstoy: I have said many things. What do you say? How do you think of this?
Valentin: I...I don't know.
Lev Nikolaevich smiled slightly.
Tolstoy: I don't know, really.
He took a deep breath.
Tolstoy: Smell it...
Valentin: Lilac?
He looked up. Then he heard Sasha's voice coming from outside the screen: "Dad, Daddy."
Tolstoy: It's good, it's cloves, and the scent is stronger at sunset.
He took Valentin's hand and squeezed it tightly.
Sasha: Dad!
Tolstoy: I had a very happy time, my child. (shouting to Sasha) Here we are.
He followed the sound and walked towards Sasha, when Sasha appeared in a clearing in the forest with the telegram she just received in her hand.
Sasha: He's free. He's free...he'll be back soon.
Suddenly switch to
35. EXTERIOR, RAILWAY, FIELD, DAY
A train whizzes past the camera, shaking everything around it.
36.
DELETED 37. EXTERNAL, Yasnaya Polyana, Courtyard, Daytime
Chertkov disembarks from his carriage. We suddenly see Tolstoy right here. The two embrace. Valentin watched them from the sidelines.
Tolstoy: My dearest friend.
There were old tears on Tolstoy's cheeks. The two embraced again.
Sophia (off screen): He'll try again to convince your dad to change his will.
38. Interior, Yasnaya Polyana, Foyer/Staircase, Daytime
Sophia and Andre stood in front of the window together, staring coldly at the warm reunion of the two outside.
Sophia: Think of copyright as a "gift to humanity"...this viper!
Andre: Dad has lost his mind. He has no ability to resist these robbers and protect his rights. (Pause) My tooth hurts like hell.
Sophia: You're a good boy, dear. Don't pay any attention to those prudence and false compassion. If only all my children could be like you.
Andrei put a finger into his mouth and pressed against the molars that kept hurting, speaking as if he were biting his tongue.
Andre: Maintaining a family is the responsibility of a decent person.
The camera, from Sophia's point of view, shows Tolstoy and Chertkov walking out of the frame, arm in arm, chatting enthusiastically.
Sofia: The noble acts that Chertkov wanted were actually calculated to destroy me.
Andre: It's going to destroy our whole family.
Sophia: There is nothing more miserable than a bankrupt noble.
She walks out of the room...
39. EXT YASNAYA POLYANA, YARD, DAY
She goes to the front driveway to meet Chertkov. He hastily walked up to her, held out his hand to her, and made an attentive smile on his face.
Sofia: Vladimir Gregoryevich, how unexpected.
Chertkov: Sofia Andreyevna, it's a pleasure to meet you.
Valentin saw that she returned his smile with a smile.
Sophia: If I can make you happy, so will I...really.
40. DELETE
41. EXTERIOR LOOK, TO THE HIGHWAY TO TELYAGINKI, DAY
VALENTIN AND CHERTKOV IN THE CARRIAGE. There was an awkward silence.
Chertkov: I am very happy to have the opportunity to be alone with you, Valentin. How are things going for you?
Valentin (slightly nervous): I think my work will satisfy Lev Nikolaevich.
Chertkov: Yes, he seems satisfied, which is good. However, the report you sent me during this time... There seems to be some misunderstanding in this regard...
Valentin: What do you mean?
Chertkov: Your report to me always talks about Tolstoy's writing endlessly. This is of course interesting, but not very useful. What I need to know is Sofia Andreyevna's side. You've probably seen by this time that she's doing everything she can to undermine her husband's good intentions.
Valentin: I haven't seen that clearly yet.
Chertkov: Because she's cunning. You are too naive, so it is easy to be confused by her.
Chertkov stared at him hard for a while.
Chertkov: Do you think our work has value?
Valentin: Of course.
Chertkov: Do you agree with our ideals?
Valentin: That's what I came here for.
Chertkov: Well, of course it is. (Pause.) Do you think the Countess is suspicious?
Valentin: Well, I think countesses are inherently suspicious.
Chertkov: How do you see it?
Valentin: I don't think she likes you very much.
Chertkov: What did she say?
Valentin: I just felt it in her tone.
Chertkov: Our desire is simply to spread Tolstoy's work to the widest possible public. She just doesn't understand what we're trying to do. Our purpose is nothing but the real increase in the happiness of the world.
He took Valentin's hand.
Chertkov: If I can't
Knowing what is happening around the old man at any time makes it difficult for me to help him. I must know of any actions she takes to hold the copyright. The survival of our movement depends on this. You have to remember who your friends are and what you are here for.
Chertkov turned to look at the field. Valentin looked straight ahead, his nose twitched slightly.
42-46. DELETE
47. INT. TELYAGINKI, VALENTIN'S ROOM, NIGHT
Valentin is sitting on the bed writing his diary. He closed his eyes and began to fall asleep. At this moment, there was a sound outside the door.
Valentin: Hey... who is it?
After a while, the door was pushed open with a creak.
Valentin: Martha?
It was Martha. She put two fingers on her lips to keep silent, and came to him with a candle in her hand. The candlelight reflected her short hair and her beautiful eyes.
Valentin: Martha.
Without saying a word, she swiftly climbed onto the bed, straddled her knees at his sides, leaned forward and kissed him.
Valentin: Martha.
Martha: Shh...
she brought her body close to him, their faces touching. She didn't kiss him, but he felt her breath. She straightened up and said.
Martha: Remove the notebook.
Valentin: What?
Martha: Remove your notebook.
Sure enough, until then, Valentin was still holding his diary on his chest. He put the diary aside. Then Martha lifted her nightgown and rolled it over her head, revealing her petite breasts and smooth belly. She reached under the sheet and wrapped her fingers around him. He tightened up in comfort.
Martha: Is this okay?
He was speechless, just nodded. He bit his lip and let her let him into her and started twitching hard. The pleasure was so strong that he couldn't hold on any longer. She lay on top of him and laughed.
Valentin: What... what's the matter?
Martha: You really are a boy.
Valentin was a little bewildered.
Martha: I'm just kidding. Actually good. very good. (Pause) Hold me tight.
He hugged her tightly, wishing he could be with her forever.
48. EXT. JELIAJINKI, THE VILLAGE, IN THE MORNING
There is going to be some kind of event in the village. There were many chairs on the grass, a monogram was pulled up in front, and a long table was set up. Preparations are proceeding in an orderly manner.
49. INTELLIGENT TERYAGINKI, VALENTIN'S ROOM, MORNING LIGHTS INTO VALENTIN'S
ROOM. He lay on the bed with naked Martha in his arms.
Valentin: Wake up, wake up.
Martha: I'm awake.
Valentin: I want to ask you... tell me again.
Martha: Really good.
The two giggled.
Valentin: How did you come to such a place?
Martha: What do you mean?
Valentin: You don't fit the rules here at all.
Martha smiled slightly.
Martha: You mean, why would someone come here who doesn't follow the rules here? ...Actually, it has nothing to do with the rules here. And it wasn't because of Tolstoy...
a knock on the door startled them both.
Sergey Yanko (off screen): Valentin Fyodorovich!
Valentin immediately panicked.
Valentin: What to do?
49A. INTERNATIONAL TERYAGINKI, CORROSION, DAY
Sergey Yanko stands outside Valentin's bedroom door.
Sergey Yanko: Open the door.
Valentin (off screen): I'm a little sick today.
Sergeyenko: Oh, yes... Lev Nikolaevich is here, he wants you to go.
49B. INTELLIGENT JELIAKINKI, VALENTINK'S ROOM, VALENTINK GOES BLACK DURING THE DAY
.
Valentin: Tell him...I'll go down right away.
Sergey Yanko (off screen): Well... you also told Maria Felipovna (note 4) that we can also hire someone else to do it in our kitchen.
The two looked at each other.
Valentin: If I see her, I will...
Sergey Yanko (off screen): If you see her... OK. If you're going to behave like a rabbit, then you should live in the woods.
Valentin jumped up abruptly.
Valentin: Let me go out first... give me five minutes.
Martha looked at him with wide eyes.
50. EXTERIOR, TELIADINKI, VILLAGE, DAY
This is an event organized by Tolstoy followers to give away pictures of Tolstoy. A group of orphans came to pay tribute to Tolstoy. Tolstoy sat in a chair next to Chertkov, behind a large banner that read: "Tolstoy is a friend of the people". Behind them, the devotees are setting up a sumptuous vegetarian feast on a large table. Several photojournalists and a cinematographer each sought a vantage point to film the lively scene.
Each child holds a flower for Tolstoy. Chertkov then gave each child a picture of Count Tolstoy giving relief money to the poor.
Valentin's face was flushed, and he rushed over in a panic and stopped beside Du Shan. Du Shanzheng recorded this touching scene in his diary with tears in his eyes.
Du Shan: You see how much people love him, like Jesus who sympathizes with children... Then...
Tolstoy kindly received a little boy and stroked the boy's bald head with his fingers. A little girl walked up to him and took a picture. He leaned over to kiss the girl on the forehead, but she hurried away.
Tolstoy: It's scary for children to look at in old age, isn't it?
He saw Valentin and smiled happily.
Tolstoy: My dear child, come and kiss me.
Valentin walked up to him blushing. Tolstoy gave him a warm hug.
Tolstoy: Oh, who is this? Maria Felipovna.
Martha came and stood beside him. She glanced at Valentin, but Valentin did not dare to look up at her.
Tolstoy: You all look fine. The life at Telia Kinki is obviously a good fit for you.
Valentin sneezed fiercely and hurried to the side.
Tolstoy: God bless, boy. Why are you so restrained? Sit down, sit down.
Valentin sat down on the chair beside him.
Tolstoy: Dear Martha, Valentin said to me, you are the most wonderful person in Teliajinki. He also said that you are a very talented teacher.
Sergey Yanko raised an eyebrow: "Really." Valentin was embarrassed to the extreme.
Martha: We are very happy to have you with us.
Tolstoy noticed a mosquito on Valentin's face. He grabbed the mosquito with his thick fingers and pinched it to death. Chertkov looked at all this with astonishment and couldn't help muttering aloud.
Chertkov: What are you doing here?
Tolstoy: What did you say?
He waved his head toward the photojournalists.
Chertkov: You killed a life.
Then came a loud laugh from behind him. It turned out that it was Martha who couldn't help laughing when she heard this conversation.
Chertkov: Do you have something to say?
Martha: It's absurd. There is nothing to say.
Chertkov was horrified. Valentin looked at Martha.
Valentin: What did you say?
Martha: I'm sorry, but—that's just a mosquito.
Tolstoy: You should forgive him. He couldn't help it. He was a more devout Tolstoy than I was.
She couldn't help laughing again. Valentin saw Chertkov's face showing displeasure.
Chertkov: That's not what we wanted to say.
At this moment, Sasha suddenly came running with a telegram in her hand.
Sasha: It's from my mother. "In a bad mood, full stop, difficulty falling asleep, full stop, pulse 100, full stop, looking back."
51. INT. TERLYADINKI, Chertkov's study, in the room during the day
: Chertkov, Thor Stey, Valentin, and Sasha.
Sasha: Dad, you must not give in to her. It goes on like this...I swear to God, she knows instinctively the moment you want to do something nice.
Someone knocked on the door. Valentin went to open the door. Du Shan sent another telegram. Tolstoy waved for him to read.
Du Shan: It was from Sofia Andreyevna. "Please, period, the pain is unbearable, period, come home quickly."
Sasha: I wonder who taught her to play with that hapless telegraph?
Valentin was about to sneeze, he coughed and tried to hold it back, but he tried to sneer and hold it again, and finally he snorted. Don't betray yourself.
Chertkov: Maybe Sasha is right. I'm afraid it's not a good way to pull it down.
Sasha: It's a gimmick. She will drag you down. You will sink deeper and deeper.
Tolstoy surveyed everyone present, and then got up from his chair.
Sasha: Then let me accompany you back.
Tolstoy: No, boy, I'll go by myself.
52.
DELETED 53. INT. Yasnaya Polyana, Sofia's bedroom,
close-up of Sofia lying in bed at night. She stared at the candlelight in fascination. In the background, Tolstoy enters the bedroom door.
Tolstoy: Sophia.
There was a sly smile on her lips, the original sadness was swept away, and she looked 20 years younger than her actual age.
Tolstoy: Sophia, are you not feeling well?
She turned to him and let him see that she was completely naked under the sheets. It's not like being sick at all.
Sophia: I'm fine...because you're finally back.
Tolstoy: That's not good, you know, you freaked everybody out.
Sophia: Can I really do that? I don't believe it. except you. I am your bird. As soon as I say it, you know right away.
Tolstoy: Is this the so-called call of love?
Sophia: It called you back to me anyway.
She reached out to him.
Sophia: Don't stand in the dark... let me see you.
He took a step closer to her, but stopped again.
Tolstoy: Why? Why? Why are you doing this. We live in the country, but you're going to turn this into a noisy theater. What's wrong with us pausing for a while?
Sophia laughed.
Sophia: You look at me. This is who I am. This is the woman you married. We're getting old, maybe we're really old, but I'm still your little chick. (Pause) And you're still my big cock.
She smiled at him.
Sophia: Now I'll let you hoot me.
A mute scene, and then his heartfelt laugh. He twisted his neck, raised his head, and really croaked like a big cock.
He trotted to her, hugged her, kissed her. She turned into a delicate little girl leaning against his arms. Then he let go of her and swaggered around the room like a big cock.
Sophia: Now I'm going to make you scream.
He took her in his arms again and kissed her neck.
Sophia: Do you love me?
Tolstoy: I love you.
Sophia: I want you to love me.
He stopped kissing and looked her in the eyes. Then he shouted loudly again, and the two laughed and hugged each other.
53A. EXTERNAL, Yasnaya Polyana, Courtyard, Night
Their laughter echoes over the old house in the dark.
54. EXT. JERIAKINKI, PORCHE, NIGHT
Valentin sits alone on the porch and writes his diary. Below are some Tolstoy devotees playing music around the bonfire, while a few devotees listen. Suddenly a voice came from the darkness.
Martha: That's what I shouldn't do too.
Valentin saw where Martha was by the flash of the cigarette she was smoking.
Valentin: Martha, smoking is not allowed in Teljakin.
Martha: You don't mind me.
Valentin: You cannot ignore it in the presence of others.
Martha: But it's fine in your bed... when it's just you and me facing God.
Valentin: I think maybe I didn't think about God.
Martha came out of the shadows, but kept her distance.
Martha: So I made you forget about God?
Valentin: No...
Martha: Yes, just forgot for a while. You forget your rules and think of love instead.
Valentin: As you say, it's too simple.
Martha: It's pretty simple in the first place. We do what the men and women of the world have been, are, and will always be doing. What could be simpler than this? We touch each other - stay close together. There is something passing between us. A real thing. What does this violate? Nothing violates. But you are afraid. Your head is full of ideas. What are you afraid of?
Valentin: I'm afraid I'll hurt you, aren't I?
Martha: No. I'm a little sad, but that's not for me. just for you.
She went into the house. Valentin watched her.
55. YASNAYA POLYANA, SOFIA'S BEDROOM - MORNING The
Countess wakes up to find that Tolstoy is no longer in her bed.
56. EXT, YASNAYA POLYANA, BACK TERRACE, DAY
She crosses the dining room to the rear terrace and sees Tolstoy sitting around a blanket writing his diary with a cup of tea in front of him.
Sophia: Good morning, dear. Let me accompany you, okay?
Without looking up:
Tolstoy: Of course, my dear.
He is still writing. She stared at him for a long time, then opened her diary and began to write.
Sophia: This is ridiculous, my dear. Everyone is laughing at you.
He looked up.
Tolstoy: What did you say?
She continued to write.
Sophia: Even the peasants are laughing at you. I heard them talking about you in the barn.
Tolstoy: Talking about what?
Sophia looked at him, holding it deliberately.
Tolstoy: What are you laughing at me for?
Sophia: I don't want to spoil the good mood last night.
She took a sip of tea and resumed writing her diary. A moment of silence. He also continued to write his. After a while...
Sophia: People laugh at you, saying that you are old and confused, and you are actually controlled by a flatterer who is not very good-looking and is no longer young. Your fondness for Chertkov has become a laughing stock.
Tolstoy: I hold Vladimir Grigoryevich very highly. If anyone finds it ridiculous, let them laugh.
Sophia: That's not funny, honey. That is sick, not normal. You obey him.
Tolstoy: We have a lot in common.
Sophia: You have nothing in common. You are a genius. And he's a flattering, evil-hearted fellow.
Tolstoy: Just because he understands what I'm trying to do? Just because he tried so hard to help me achieve these things?
Sophia: He's using you. You just don't seem to see that.
Tolstoy: This is pure nonsense.
Sophia: That bold, fat-brained bastard. You still took him...
He turned to face her suddenly, his face flushed with anger.
Tolstoy: You always have to mess with my business. Leave me alone...for God's sake. You are just like a spoiled child.
He stood up, spat on the ground, and went into the house. Sophia followed suit.
57. YASNAYA POLYANA, DINING ROOM, SOFIA
catching up to him before time runs out.
Sophia: Do you love me? Levochka?
Tolstoy: Of course I love you.
Sophia: Then why did you betray me.
Tolstoy: Why do you say that?
Sophia: Just by that will!
57A. INT YASnaya Polyana, Foyer/Staircase/Landing - Day
Tolstoy is taken aback and does not speak.
Sophia: That new will.
Tolstoy: There is no new will.
She stared at him wordlessly.
Tolstoy: There is no new will.
Sophia: Didn't Chertkov ask you to write it?
Tolstoy: There is no new will.
He went up the stairs. Sophia followed.
Sophia: That's what he's here again for. You, you and this close friend of yours, discussed this. You are ready to rewrite. You don't even think about someone who truly loves you. You'd rather be fooled by those liars, be fooled by those sycophants, and say it's all out of love... You don't even love your own children, you don't even love me. Tell me, where is this thing?
Tolstoy: There is no new will at all.
58. YASNAYA POLYANA - THE LIBRARY - THROUGH THE TIME TO GO TO THE WRITING TABLE, DISREGARDING HER
.
Sophia: Then you promise I won't have one in the future.
After a moment of hesitation,
Tolstoy: I have told you the truth. Now you'll let me sit down and work, okay? He went to the writing desk.
59.
DELETED 60. INT. Yasnaya Polyana, Library, Before Time Remains,
Tolstoy stops his work during the day and looks up. Sophia stood at the door of the room.
Sophia: Tomorrow, I'll go to the train station to lie down on the tracks. Tolstoy's wife became the real Anna Karenina! What a joy to read those papers!
Tolstoy gets up and walks away, we hear:
Tolstoy (off screen): This is unbearable. You don't want a husband. What you want is a docile answerer.
Sophia was stunned by his strong reaction. She walked out of the room.
61. EXTERIOR, THE ROAD TO TELIAJINKI, DURING DAY
Four farmers pull a waterwheel on a bumpy village road. The camera pans away and turns to a light carriage, in which Sophia is sitting in a luxurious white dress.
62. TERLYAZINKI, CHERTKOV'S STUDY, DAY -
CHERTKOV AND SERGEYENKO PEEK IN THE ANCIENT ROOM FROM THE INTERIOR WINDOW.
The shot shows from their point of view, the Countess sitting on a couch with a cup of tea in her hands.
Valentin went from the reception room into the inner room.
Valentin: She's here to ask you about the new will.
Chertkov looked nervous, pinching his beard with his hands.
Chertkov: How did she know there was such a will?
Valentin: She said that Lev Nikolaevich told her that she could see the draft for herself.
Chertkov: The old man obviously didn't think about it clearly. We can only tolerate her little intervention now.
Valentin: I don't think it's a small thing.
Chertkov: What do you mean?
Valentin: The elderly are her lifeblood. In her mind, those works were their...common property.
Chertkov: Are you speaking for her? You have been fooled by her aura. I used to worry about this.
Valentin: I'm talking about their past—that's all.
Chertkov: We gotta see her. Just when nothing happened.
Valentin: Nothing happened.
63. INTELLIGENT JELIAJINKI, RECEPTION ROOM, THE THREE ENTERED THE RECEPTION ROOM IN THE DAY
.
Chertkov: Sofia Andreyevna, we are very honored that you are finally here.
Valentin watched as she and Chertkov dealt with feigned affection.
Sophia: I am honored to be welcomed by you.
She looked at him curiously.
Chertkov: What do you want to say?
Sophia: One side of your beard... One side of his beard really hangs down.
Chertkov (nodding): The beard wax isn't done.
Sophia turned to the topic.
Sophia: Allow me to get straight to the point with you. Vladimir Gregoryevich, I do not want to be your enemy. I am so happy that my husband has a like-minded friend. I have only one legitimate request, which is for me to evaluate the newly amended will. If you can agree to my request, I am sure we will be able to solve the problem amicably.
Chertkov: You are too kind, Sofia Andreyevna. However, I cannot comply with your request without specific instructions from your husband.
SOFIA (turning to Valenkin): Lev Nikolaevich agreed, didn't he, Valen...
Chertkov: You can't let anyone prove it. However, as soon as I see Lev Nikolayevich, I must ask him this question.
Sophia's face was gloomy.
Sophia: All right.
Chertkov: I would also like to be friendly with you, Sophia. Lev Nikolaevich is the most precious treasure in the world, for both of us. We should try to handle everything between us. Don't let him worry. Let him write in peace.
Sophia: Yes. (Pause) Valentin Fyodorovitch, are you going back there with me?
Valentin looked at her, then at him, trying to be impartial.
Valentin: I'll accompany the countess back there, and then come back for dinner.
Sergey Yanko quipped.
Sergey Yanko: Masha is happy now.
Valentin sniffed and looked down at the ground.
Sophia (off screen): What have you been hiding from me? Delightful.
64. TERIAZINKI, OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE ROAD, DURING THE
DAY THEY TRAVEL BETWEEN YASnaya Polyana. Valentin was silent.
Sophia: I think we've become very close friends. You should tell me everything, dear boy. I love listening to love stories.
Valentin: Seriously, nothing.
Sophia: It doesn't matter if a young girl comes into your life?
Valentin: Martha is just a friend.
Sophia: Beloved friend?
Valentin: Very good friend.
Sophia: That sounds serious enough.
Valentin looked away.
Sophia: I didn't mean to upset you.
Valentin: I am not unhappy.
Sophia: You missed one point: I'm very good at reading faces. I can see your every thought on your face. Everything is clearly written on the face. (Pause) Do you love her?
Valentin looked up at Sophia, tears welling up in his eyes.
Valentin: Maybe.
Sophia: There are things they simply don't understand, these so-called Tolstoy believers. My husband's work, they didn't understand a word of it. (Pause) Can any of them understand what love is?
65. EXT. JELIAJINKI, VILLAGE, DAY
Masha, carrying two buckets, came to a stream a
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