A FULL-LENGTH FEATURE FILM
for wide distribution in Russia, Europe, India, China
https://youtu.be/Za8Y5iOm2sQ
Script AWARDS
http://proza.ru/2023/11/19/1638
https://swedenfilmawards.se/zugzwang-of-ober/
https://www.wfcn.co/profile/iliyas_daudi
https://filmfreeway.com/IliyasDaudi
From the military-historical novel-trilogy «IN THE CIRCLE OF KUNDUZ»
Project is timed to THE WITHDRAWAL OF NATO COALITION FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN 2021.08.31. Based on real events, the names of the prototypes have been partially changed.
Author: ILIYAS DAUDI
Genre: Action, Drama, History
Format: full meter, movie series
Materials: Long line, Application, Synopsis, Script
* THE SCRIPT/ http://proza.ru/2021/08/05/1054
* THE STORY/ http://proza.ru/2020/10/01/871
MOTTO
«The story of heroes among whom you want to live!»
LONG LINE
This story is about Afghan war and peace, happiness and tragedies, strong friendship and a return to the roots.
— The main character is a Russian German, Bruno Thevs, he is an officer of the special operations forces of the KSK Bundeswehr (FRG), the son of a Soviet soldier who died in 1986 in Afghanistan.
— The desire to get even for the death of his father directs Bruno, who was taken away from the USSR for permanent residence in Germany in 1989 to participate in the military operation of the NATO forces (ISAF) «Enduring Freedom» in the 2010s.
— The victims and destruction inflicted by ISAF, the death in that moloch of his own Afghan bride and close comrades lead to a turning point in the hero's consciousness, a reassessment of the causes of the bloody confrontation.
— Disappointed by the actions of the Western ISAF coalition, not wanting to be part of a cynical military machine, Bruno resigns from military service, returns to his historical homeland in Russia.
— Bruno's gratitude for the hardships and overcoming he experienced, at the end of the story, will be the new happiness he found in Russia.
APPLICATION
«Zugzwang is a chess term meaning forcing a disastrous move».
This story is about a young Ober lieutenant of the Bundeswehr of Germany, Bruno Thevs, who serves in the secret intelligence unit of the special operations forces «KSK» of the Bundeswehr in Germany.
— Bruno was a year old when his Father, a Soviet soldier, died in Afghanistan in 1986, in 1989, Bruno, along with relatives from Volga Germans who were evicted during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) to Southern Kazakhstan, moved to permanent residence in Germany (Freiburg).
— Having grown up and become a professional military man, Bruno, contrary to the spell of his mother, appeals to the command with a request for rotation to the special anti-terrorist unit «TASK FORCE 47» (TF-47) in the German grouping of NATO forces in Afghanistan — ISAF, fighting the radical Taliban movement.
— After tough tests, strict selection, Bruno arrives at the Mazar-I-Sharif military base in Afghanistan.
— Bruno is motivated, assertive, brusque, everything in him is subordinated to a single goal — the fight against the rebels and revenge for his father
— While solving special anti-terrorist tasks in Afghanistan, Bruno involves his friend, a reporter of a leading Western publication, who was saved by him when he was released from Taliban captivity, but paid for the cynicism of the TF-47 command with his life, in one of the special operations.
— The death of a comrade will shock Bruno.
— Bruno will not be able to prevent the death of his beloved girlfriend, Afghan Seeta Akhmadzai, in an ISAF air strike on the MSF hospital of the international humanitarian mission «Doctors Without Borders», which claimed over 100 lives.
— Participating in special operations against the Taliban, Bruno is constantly in the thick of dramatic events, the epicenter of mass casualties of the indigenous population.
— Once, an apologist of Western values, convinced of the rightness of the actions of the ISAF fighting international terrorism, Bruno will survive a psychological fracture, a transformation of the worldview, blaming the troubles of peaceful Afghans — ISAF and its leadership.
— Not wanting to be a part of the brutal war machine anymore, Bruno resigns from the Bundeswehr, goes to his historical homeland in Russia.
— There Bruno finds the friends of his late Father who survived the battles.
— The events in Russia will fill Bruno's life with a new meaning.
SYNOPSIS
Bruno Thevs, military intelligence officer, Ober lieutenant of the special operations forces of the KSK Bundeswehr (FRG), who submitted a report to the command to send him to serve in Afghanistan at his own request, is undergoing rigorous selection and testing at the KSK base in Karlsruhe, FRG.
— The authoritative commission approves the castling, Bruno arrives at the Mazar-I-Sharif airbase in Afghanistan, where he enlists in the special anti-terrorist «Task Force 47» TF-47 unit of the German forces in the ISAF joint grouping, the North zone, the city of Kunduz.
— From the very first days of service in Afghanistan, Bruno, the commander of the TF-47 special forces group, has been involved in dangerous special operations against the radical Taliban movement, manifests himself as a brave, determined warrior.
— In the first operation, Bruno prevents a terrorist attack involving suicide truck drivers loaded with explosives who broke into the TF-47 garrison in Kunduz.
— In other operations, Bruno performs with the group the task of capturing and eliminating Taliban leaders, frees hostages, among whom is a wounded reporter, the correspondent of a major European publication, Otto Greenberg (Otto).
— Bruno delivers the wounded Otto to Kunduz, MSF — the hospital of the international humanitarian mission Doctors Without Borders.
— An old notebook and a photo of a soldier of the Soviet Army are unexpectedly found in Otto's personal belongings.
— Bruno is shocked — after all, this is a notebook and a photo of his father who died in Afghanistan…
— Father, Konstantin Thevs from the Volga Germans, a native of Southern Kazakhstan, USSR in the mid-1980s served as part of a limited contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan, and together with his comrades fought with the Mujahideen.
Konstantin Thevs has more than one dangerous operation on his account.
— In one of the heavy battles, Konstantin is seriously wounded and dies. Konstantin's wife, Rosa, Bruno's mother, emigrated to Germany (Freiburg) together with their young son in 1989.
— There Bruno grows up and, under the influence of his mother's stories about his father, becomes a professional military intelligence officer.
— Bruno's decision to file a report on being sent to serve in Afghanistan is related to where his father fought and died.
— Friendly relations are established between military intelligence officer Bruno and reporter Otto.
— Otto promises Bruno that when he recovers, he will take him to a former mujahideen who gave him a notebook and a photo of the deceased Soviet soldier Konstantin Thevs.
— At the MSF hospital, Bruno meets a beautiful, modest Oriental girl, Seeta Akhmadzai.
— Seeta Akhmadzai is a Pashtun woman born in Germany, a family of Afghan immigrants, who serves as a doctor at MSF in Kunduz.
— Bruno is fascinated by Seeta, shows signs of attention in every possible way. Seeta accepts Bruno's courtship with restraint.
Seeta, although born and raised in Germany, is still brought up in strict Muslim traditions, observes the canons.
— The probability that Seeta's family will allow her to marry a non-believer Bruno is negligible, but the approaching Bruno and Seeta do not lose hope.
— The wounded Otto goes to MSF to recover, as promised, takes Bruno to a remote mountain village to the former mujahideen Ismatullah.
— Ismatullah tells Bruno under what circumstances he had a notebook and a photo of the deceased Konstantin Thevs.
— Ismatullah agrees to take Bruno and Otto to the mountains — to the site of the last bloody battle, where Konstantin Thevs was mortally wounded.
— In the narrative of Mujahid Ismatullah, Bruno reconstructs the picture of that battle, and realizes that Ismatullah is obviously the one who fatally wounded his father.
— Ismatullah, who lost his arm in that battle and almost lost his life, sincerely empathizes with the relatives who lost their relatives in the Afghan war in the 1980s, speaks with respect about the Soviet soldiers, brave and worthy.
— Ismatullah admits to Bruno that he has largely revised his previous views, and would not fight with Shuravi now, but despite his advanced age, he is still ready to take up arms again to beat the occupiers from the ISAF coalition.
— Bruno is puzzled by Ismatullah's position, because ISAF, in his opinion, is fighting international terrorism, protecting Afghan civilians!
— During his service, Bruno becomes an eyewitness to the death of a large number of civilians in ISAF operations, and with each case he becomes more and more convinced of the harm of the presence of the ISAF coalition in Afghanistan.
— Bruno will be especially shocked by the ISAF airstrike in the village of Daftani on a mosque and madrasah during the celebrations on the occasion of a religious holiday, awarding the winners of the competition of Qur'an reciters — Hafiz (boys aged six to fourteen years).
— The result: hundreds of innocent victims, hundreds of seriously injured — all children.
Is this a deliberate blow or a tragic mistake?!
— Reporter Otto, fulfilling his journalistic duty, despite the deadly danger, uses his contacts with the Taliban to shoot a live report in the village of Daftani, the site of the tragedy, to interview the parents of the dead children.
— On the frames of the video camera, Otto captures horrific scenes with fragments of bodies scattered on the site, rows of children's shoes left at the place of prayer, mournful memorial services in the courtyards for the dead children, grief-stricken relatives, a damaged mosque, destroyed residential buildings.
— Otto's truthful revelatory material about the tragedy in Daftani, published in the world's leading publication, caused a wide public outcry and condemnation of ISAF's actions in the world, strengthening Otto's authority among the Taliban.
— Contrary to the horrifying facts, heralds from the official Afghan media and the ISAF coalition call what happened in Daftani the destruction of the Taliban training center together with the leaders.
— The Taliban respond to the tragedy in Daftani by kidnapping the son of the commander of the Bundeswehr garrison, Colonel (Oberst) Georg Jung, Bruno's immediate superior, Alfred, who flew from Munich to visit his father.
— Bruno volunteers to help in the release of Alfred Jung, turns to Otto with a request to talk to the Taliban about the exchange of Alfred.
— Otto is staunchly opposed, because he is shocked by the victims of Daftani and does not want to deal with an officer who gave orders for the use of military force against civilians.
— Bruno pushes Otto, argues that he owes his rescue from Taliban captivity to TF-47 special forces and directly to Oberst Jung. As a result, he persuades to reach out to the Taliban, to ask for exchange conditions.
— The Taliban's terms are accepted by TF-47. For Alfred Jung, the Taliban demand 5 of their regional leaders from captivity.
— As a guarantee of security, the Taliban demand that Bruno and Otto be taken hostage before the exchange is completed. The conditions are accepted.
— Loving Seeta is heartily worried about Bruno. The young are waiting for the blessing of the marriage of Seeta's parents. The mother, who understands Seeta in a feminine way, persuades her husband Ayub to agree. Ayub, firmly against the gentile Bruno, but after learning that he is the son of a Soviet soldier who died in Afghanistan, surrenders under persuasion. Bruno and Seeta are immensely happy, preparing for the wedding.
— But happiness is not destined to come true: an airstrike by the American ISAF Air Force on the MSF Doctors Without Borders hospital leaves over a hundred dead under the rubble, including Seeta. Bruno is heartbroken. Hates the culprits.
— The exchange of Alfred Jung and the Taliban leaders in action — the parties exchange prisoners, Otto and Bruno are released.
— Oberst Jung and Alfred with senior TF-47 officers get into armored personnel carriers, drive off. Bruno's SWAT team is waiting for him and Otto. Before Otto and Bruno have time to leave the exchange site, ISAF helicopter gunships appear in the sky and begin hitting the Taliban with rockets.
— The Taliban are returning fire on helicopters and special forces. Their automatic burst hits Otto. Dying, Otto forcefully says «it was impossible to believe Oberst Jung».
— Bruno is furious: who called the aviation and ordered to open fire?!
— Bruno breaks into Oberst Jung, harshly reprimands the claim.
— Bruno, completely disappointed in the ISAF mission, cynical, inhumane methods, returns to Germany, resigns from military service and goes to the city of birth — Dzhambul.
There he pours a handful of earth from the place of the disastrous battle on his father's grave and, in fulfillment of the purpose of the old notebook, flies to Moscow.
— Using phone numbers, Bruno searches for his father's surviving friends.
— Legless invalid Rust introduces Bruno to Masha, the daughter of one of the three survivors of the war, but who died at the walls of the House of Soviets in October 1993 Bonfire (Ivan Kostrov). United by a common misfortune — the loss of their father-friends, Bruno and Masha are connected by a relationship.
— The events in Russia will fill Bruno's life with meaning, hope for the future.
TIME SLICES
— The first, present, 2000s tells about the Ober lieutenant of the special operations forces of the KSK Bundeswehr - Bruno Thevs, the son of a Soviet soldier who died in Afghanistan.
— The second, a flashback to the recent past — an episode of the history of friends in the Afghan war and Modern Russia.
— The third, a flashback to the distant past — the Emirate of Afghanistan 1917-1942, the period of the struggle against Basmatism in the Afghan-Soviet border area.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
— The story is based on real events in Afghanistan, widely covered in the Western media, received a strong resonance in the world.
— The facts of the excessive use of military force by ISAF with the mass death of civilians took place in reality:
— during an air strike on the village of Umar-heil in the province of Kunduz — on civilians who had accumulated near fuel trucks, about 100 people were killed.
— during an air strike on the village of Daftani in Kunduz province — with the mass death of Hafiz children reciting the Koran from 8 to 14 years old on the day of graduation from the madrasah, about 100 children were killed.
— during an air strike on the MSF hospital of the international humanitarian mission «Doctors without Borders» in the city of Kunduz — a large number of civilians, European and Afghan medical workers who were in the buildings, killed more than 100 people.
— The prototype of the correspondent of «Der Spiegel» Otto Greenberg, who conducted a journalistic investigation of the inhumane actions of the ISAF, was the famous American reporter of the New York Times, Stephen Farrell, kidnapped by the Taliban.
SCREENPLAY
ZUGZWANG OF OBER LIEUTENANT BRUNO THEVS
1. EXT. DZHAMBUL. GERMAN CEMETERY — DAY. CLOUDY. IT'S DRIZZLING.
TITLE: DZHAMBUL. THE GERMAN CEMETERY.
BRUNO, a tall, broad-shouldered young man of 25 years old, of military habit, stands at a grave with a maroon marble tombstone with a photo of his father on it. At the top of the plate there are 2 Orders of the Red Star; an INTERNATIONALIST SOLDIER is written. In the center of the plate is the name Konstantin Oskarovich Thevs, below the date of birth and death (1966-1986).
Bruno is serious, his shoulders are straightened, his hands are stacked on top of each other.
The holy father in a pastor's shirt with a Roman collar reads psalms.
Bruno listens in silence.
The pastor finishes reading the prayer.
Bruno puts flowers on the grave.
Bruno takes a black cellophane bag with a handful of earth out of the pocket of his leather jacket and pours it on the mound in front of the monument.
2. EXT. AIRPORT — DAY
A large liner lifts off the ground and soars into the sky.
3. INT. BOARD OF THE PLANE — DAY
Bruno is sitting in the middle row by the window.
The stewardess carries drinks on a trolley and serves them to passengers.
Bruno is looking out the window, thinking about something.
FLASHBACK
4. EXT. MEDIEVAL CASTLE — NIGHT. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTINGTITLE.
TITLE: CALV.KARLSRUHE COUNTY, THE LAND OF BADEN W;RTTEMBERG,SOUTHWEST OF GERMANY. COUNT ZEPPELIN'S CASTLE.
A picturesque landscape, a large pond with century-old oaks, the facade of the castle is illuminated.
5. INT. BUNKER — TWILIGHT. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: BUNKER.SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES CENTER. KSK BUNDESWEHR.
The walls are painted in achromatic color, round lampshades shine dimly, a glass spy "gesella" is mounted in one of the walls.
An exhausted young man Bruno with ten-day stubble is sitting in the center, his hands are handcuffed to the seat of a chair.
The man is severely exhausted, blinded by the light of a powerful searchlight; two soldiers hose him down with a jet of icy water, deafen him with a loud rock and roll sound.
From the observation room, the test is monitored by the commission of the heads of KSK.
The head of the KSK, Brigadier General MARKUS NEUMANN, enters the observation room, the officers stand up. Markus Neumann nods his head in greeting, waves his hand, and invites the officers to sit down.
Markus Neuman addresses the KSK personnel officer, Oberst — Colonel KURT VOLLMER, without taking his eyes off what is happening behind the glass.
MARKUS NEUMANN
How is he?!
KURT VOLLMER
(To Marcus Neumann)
He's holding up well, — Mr. Brigadier General.
MARKUS NEUMANN
Read me his file, Vollmer.
KURT VOLLMER
Yes, Mr. Brigadier General! Bruno Thevs, born in 1985. He arrived in Germany in 1989 from Kazakhstan, USSR, at the age of four.
Graduated from high school with honors, purposefully prepared for military service.
He speaks Russian and English perfectly.
After graduating from school, he served in the 26th Airborne Brigade in the city of Zweibr;cken. From there, Ober Staff Corporal Thevs entered the higher officer school.
In 2008, he received the military specialty of an army intelligence officer and the rank of lieutenant. In the same year he was selected for KSK.
He served as a group commander in the division of the rapid reaction forces in Stadtallendorf. The rank of Ober-lieutenant was awarded ahead of schedule. Athlete, winner of the Bundeswehr in boxing.
In early January 2009, he appealed to the KSK command with a request to send him to the Task Force-47 as part of the joint forces of the Western ISAF coalition in Afghanistan for further service.
MARKUS NEUMANN
(To officers)
What will be the opinions?!
KURT VOLLMER
In all disciplines and stages of testing, Ober-lieutenant Bruno Thevs is certified with the highest scores, Mr. Brigadier General.
The level of professional training gives grounds to consider him one of the best beginning army intelligence officers of the Bundeswehr and recommend him for rotation in Afghanistan.
MARKUS NEUMANN
I agree with you, Kurt!
Markus Neumann signs a document on the castling of Bruno Thevs in Afghanistan.
6. EXT. CATHEDRAL - DAY.
TITLE: FREIBURG. THE CATHEDRAL OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY.
In the frame is a general plan of the view of the cathedral.
7. INT. CATHEDRAL PULPIT - ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING DAY.
Bruno Thevs is sitting at the organ. The work of J.S. Bach sounds.
Bruno plays with inspiration. Finishes playing.
8. INT. THE INTERIOR OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - DAY.
Bruno goes up to the HOLY FATHER, kisses his hand. The Holy Father baptizes Bruno.
HOLY FATHER
Please, Bruno, take care of yourself, the church will pray for you.
BRUNO
Thank you, Father.
Bruno approaches a 45-year-old woman sitting in the front row next to the pulpit - his mother ROSA. Rosa is pretty, with delicate facial features, exquisitely dressed in dark, and has a hat on her head.
Rosa comes out from behind the bench and heads for the exit with Bruno.
9. EXT. CATHEDRAL - DAY.
Bruno and Rosa are standing at the entrance to the Cathedral, looking at each other.
ROSA
I am very saddened by your decision. You're breaking my heart. It will be unbearable for me to lose my only son after the death of my husband.
BRUNO
(reassuringly, with a smile)
Everything will be fine.
10. EXT. AIRBASE — DAY. HOT WEATHER.
TITLE: MAZAR-I-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN. BUNDESWEHR AIR BASE. THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE REGIONAL COMMAND OF THE ZONE "NORTH" OF THE JOINT FORCES OF THE WESTERN COALITION ISAF.
A military transport aircraft "S.160D Transall" lands on the runway. A group of German soldiers descends from the opening ramp. A tall, athletic, fair-haired young lieutenant in a Gainsborough-colored officer's dress uniform with a uniform backpack stands out from the military. This is Bruno Thevs. Bruno throws his head up, looks at the cloudless sky and takes a deep breath of air.
A Bucher (MOWAG) Duro IIIP ambulance with a flashing beacon turns on smoothly to the aircraft parking lot, to the side of the Bombardier Learjet 55 medical board with a red crescent image and the inscription "Medecins Sans Frontieres" MSF. A group of doctors and orderlies in green uniforms is quickly unloaded from the ambulance and begins to evacuate 3 stretchers with patients to be sent to Germany.
Bruno notices how the young girl SEETA accompanying the last of them, under the force of the air flow of the liner's engine, releases a folder with sheets of "case histories" papers from her armpit. Documents are scattered to the side for several meters. Bruno, seeing this, left his backpack in place, began to catch up the papers carried away by the wind, helping the girl to collect them. Bruno picks up the last sheet, hands the whole stack to the girl, looks intently into her eyes. The girl blushes, looks down, nods gratefully. The girl is beautiful; heading for the ambulance plane.
Bruno follows her with his eyes until she disappears into the cabin of the plane.
11. EXT. AIRBASE — DAY. HOT WEATHER.
Bruno and several other soldiers walk past a high fence with barbed wire near a checkpoint, heading for a military helicopter standing alone.
There is pandemonium at the checkpoint - a group of local residents and accumulated civilian trucks. Military personnel with weapons and service dogs do not allow Afghan civilian equipment to enter the airfield, strictly check documents, inspect cargo compartments of transport.
Bruno notices two Afghan motorcyclists in a turban and national clothes driving up to the checkpoint behind the fence. They both have backpacks on their backs. Both motorcyclists are focused, quickly conducting reconnaissance, and their readiness for action is visible.
At the same time, the Afghan motorcyclists sharply step on the gas and rush one after the other through the narrow space between the transport and the checkpoint gates, penetrate the airfield territory.
The guards try to stop the motorcyclists; but they filter through the crowd. The guards do not dare to use weapons on the motorcyclists.
Bruno, who sees this and stands in the way of the motorcyclists, abruptly pulls out his GLOCK pistol from his holster and shoots the first motorcyclist in the head. Motorcyclist falls, the motorcycle goes off to the side.
At this moment, the second motorcyclist directs his motorcycle directly at Bruno.
Bruno abruptly steps aside and strikes the motorcyclist's neck with an outstretched hand, knocks him to the ground and fires a control shot to the head.
12. EXT. AIRBASE — DAY. HOT WEATHER.
The military, including Bruno, climb into the helicopter with their personal belongings.
The helicopter takes off into the sky.
13. EXT. AFGHANISTAN — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN. GARRISON "TASK FORCE 47" (TF-47).
Bruno Thevs drives up on an armored personnel carrier to the TF-47 headquarters. On the porch he is awaited by the TF-47 commander OBERST JUNG, a short, lean man of 40 years old, strict, secretive, distrustful, cynical, cruel, speaks with a characteristic "Nordic" accent.
Bruno waits for the dust to settle, jumps off the armored personnel carrier, dusts himself off, and walks to Oberst Jung to report.
Oberst Jung is waiting for Bruno on the porch of the headquarters. He greets Bruno with a smile.
OBERST JUNG
(gratifying)
Welcome to Afghanistan!
The TF47 unit is served by the best officers of the Special operations forces and army intelligence units - about 200 people.
Oberst Jung walks between a row of armored personnel carriers and a fence with barbed wire, Bruno follows Oberst Jung, listening attentively to his speech.
OBERST JUNG
In a short period of time, we have developed a good network of agents in the "North" sector of responsibility.
The Oberst stopped. He stares intently into Bruno's eyes.
OBERST JUNG
I've read your personal file, Ober Lieutenant. A good start.
Oberst Jung and Bruno continue their leisurely pace, stopping at the site where the instructor officer demonstrates to a group of special forces the technique of hand-to-hand combat with an opponent armed with a knife. Oberst Jung looks from Bruno to the commandos.
OBERST JUNG
Don't you want to show your abilities?
Oberst Jung nods to the instructor officer.
The instructor officer frees the commando, waits for Bruno's approach.
Bruno approaches the instructor officer; a handshake takes place.
Bruno and the instructor officer stood ready for battle.
The fight began with the use of punches and combat sambo techniques.
Bruno gets the better of the instructor officer.
Bruno and the instructor officer shake hands.
Bruno returns to Oberst Jung.
OBERST JUNG
Not bad, not bad!
(pause)
Answer me, only frankly! Is your desire to be in TF-47 somehow connected with the death of your father here?
Bruno fades away. Before Bruno could answer, Jung continues.
OBERST JUNG
Remember, Ober-lieutenant!
(a little quieter)
The accomplishment of retribution should not harm the career of a promising officer.
Bruno nods in agreement.
OBERST JUNG
By the way, where did this happen?
BRUNO
In the province of Baghlan, Mr. Oberst.
(pause)
Their regiment was stationed here in Kunduz.
OBERST JUNG
I see.
(pause)
Baghlan is also our area of responsibility.
Oberst Jung sees a folio with a Russian title in Bruno's hand.
OBERST JUNG
(with curiosity)
What are you reading now, Ober- lieutenant??
BRUNO
"The Great game in Afghanistan."
OBERST JUNG
(suspiciously)
I see.
(pause)
Tell me, Ober-lieutenant.
(interestedly)
When and from what part of Germany your ancestors moved to Russia? Are you aware of this?
BRUNO
(statutory)
That's right, Mr. Oberst! During the reign of King Frederick II of Prussia, according to the manifesto of 1762 of the Russian Empress Catherine II, Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst.
Among the first German families, my ancestors settled in the Volga region. They went to Russia from the South-West of Germany, Freiburg, where two centuries later we returned.
OBERST JUNG
Well! It's a long time!
The history of the family and the people must be known! Commendable, commendable!
(thoughtfully)
Okay, first solve all the formalities at headquarters, and then I'll introduce you to your group. Tomorrow at 9.00 the meeting of group commanders in the "Combat Control Center".
Oberst Jung and Bruno Thevs are splitting up.
14. INT. BRUNO'S ROOM – DAY NATURAL LIGHT.
Bruno enters his room, there are two beds, both made up. His roommate, counterintelligence officer Ober lieutenant Helmut Zimmer, is sitting at his desk.
Bruno greets Zimmer with a handshake. He puts his backpack on a chair by the empty bunk.
BRUNO
Bruno Tevs!
ZIMMER
(haughtily)
Helmut, the counterintelligence service!
BRUNO
Oh! I'm lucky, I'll be under the protection of counterintelligence.
ZIMMER
(unfriendly)
Don't be pathetic, Ober Lieutenant.
Bruno takes one of the beds, takes a book out of his backpack, and begins to read.
EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN"
15. EXT. MOSCOW.THE RED SQUARE — DAY.
Red Square, historical paving stones, the high Kremlin wall, the Kremlin Spasskaya clock tower, the Kremlin chimes can be heard.
16. I.V. STALIN'S OFFICE IN THE KREMLIN — DAY, BRIGHTLY ILLUMINATED BY THE SUN THROUGH THE WINDOWS.
The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU (b), STALIN I.V., with a slightly smoking pipe in his hand, gets up from his desk and goes to meet the Afghan delegation entering the office.
In the office, Soviet officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and major military leaders are standing at a long table and waiting for the start of negotiations.
STALIN I.V.
(friendly with a smile)
Hello comrades!
The head of the Afghan delegation, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Emirate GHULAM SIDDIQ KHAN Charkhi, welcomes Stalin I.V. in English, "Good afternoon!"
A warm handshake. Stalin I.V. with a wave of his hand invites the Afghan delegation to sit down at a long table. The Afghans pass by and take their seats. Following them, on the contrary, the Soviet delegation sits down. Negotiations begin. Silence.
Stalin I.V. puffs on smoke from a smoking pipe, slowly looks at the members of the Afghan delegation, stops his gaze at Ghulam Siddiq Khan.
Ghulam Siddiq Khan speaks first, without taking his eyes off Stalin.
GHULAM SIDDIQ KHAN
(pompously)
Honorable Secretary General!
The Emirate of Afghanistan, represented by His Majesty
King Amanullah Khan, was the first foreign state to recognize the young Soviet Republic in 1919.
STALIN I.V.
(raising his palm, smiling)
The RSFSR, as you know, did not remain in debt – it was the first to recognize the independence of Afghanistan from the British colonialists!
GHULAM SIDDIQ KHAN
(emotionally)
At the moment, Afghanistan has been beheaded and is on the verge of civil war.
You are undoubtedly aware that the power in Kabul has been usurped by the war criminal Habibullah Kalakani. We are here to convey the request of His Holiness Emir Amanullah Khan: in the name of peace on the land of Afghanistan, to form a special detachment on Soviet territory from among the Red Army soldiers and Afghan soldiers of various levels who have left the country. We assure you that as soon as the special detachment crosses the Soviet-Afghan border, it will immediately be replenished with thousands of loyal supporters of Amanullah Khan, ready to give their lives for their emir. Consequently, the need for further participation of the Soviet military in the operation will immediately disappear, they will safely return to their homeland.
17. NAT. THE BANK OF THE AMU DARYA RIVER — NIGHT, PREDAWN.
TITLE: SOVIET-AFGHAN BORDER 1929.
It is quiet, only the sound of gurgling water is heard. On an open, elevated place visible from everywhere on the northern bank of the Amu Darya border river stands the international formation of a special detachment of the Red Army (Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) of 2000 soldiers from national units of the Central Asian Military District (SAVO) - Uzbeks, Turkmens, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kirghiz, Uighurs, Russians, Cossacks all dressed in Afghan military uniforms.
The commander of the detachment, Vitaly Primakov, with the call sign WITMAR, is dressed in the uniform of an Afghan officer, reading out a combat order.
WITMAR
(in a commanding voice)
The detachment is tasked with infiltrating the adjacent territory to perform a responsible government task. For the duration of the operation, in the presence of the Afghan population, address each other with distributed Muslim names.
18. NAT. THE BANK OF THE AMU DARYA RIVER - IT'S GETTING LIGHT.
The advance group of the Witmar detachment secretly swims through the water barrier of the Amu Darya River and silently removes the Afghan border outpost. The main forces of the Witmar detachment with 4 mountain guns, 12 machine guns, 12 light machine guns, powerful mobile radio stations, a supply of provisions are loaded onto motor boats, barges, kayaks, and force the river.
19. NAT. THE BANK OF THE AMU DARYA RIVER, DESERT — DAWN.
TITLE: SOVIET BORDER AREA, AFGHAN TERRITORY.
Six Soviet airplanes equipped with bombs and machine guns appeared in the sky. Together with Witmar's detachment, they cross the Soviet-Afghan border and fly into Afghanistan. Airplanes fly around the Afghan border post Patta-Gissar twice in a circle and, descending, make a fire raid. The Afghan border post, barracks, and most of the Afghan border guards have been destroyed. The shelling of the Afghan territory from the air continues. In response, the Afghan border guards occasionally shoot at Soviet planes with their rifles, but all in vain, only two of the 50 border guards remained alive. Afghan border guards are retreating to a neighboring border post, reporting an attack by the Soviets.
Witmar's detachment is moving deep into Afghanistan. Reinforcements arrive to help the Afghan border guards in Patta-Gissar. The arrived Afghan detachment is destroyed by the fire of machine guns of the Witmar's detachment. Fighting is taking place near the city limits of Kelif. The Afghan formations are desperately repelling the attacks of the Witmar's detachment. Witmar's fighters have pushed forward guns, and the first cannon shots and machine-gun bursts destroy and morally break the Afghans. The Afghans are fleeing from their positions, leaving their weapons.
20. NAT. MAZAR-I-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN — DAY.
TITLE: MAZAR-I-SHARIF, AFGHANISTAN.
Witmar's detachment attacks the bastion, smashes the gates of the Mazar-I-Sharif fortress with direct artillery fire, breaks into the city.
The defenders of the garrison are crowding and fleeing. Piles of motionless, bloody bodies lie near the Afghan guns. The losses of the Afghans are great, in the Witmar detachment they are isolated. Witmar's squad has broken into Mazar-I-Sharif, rushes to the attack with the traditional Russian "Hurrah". Russian obscenities are heard everywhere on the streets. Soviet airplanes are raiding Mazar-I-Sharif from the air, dropping bombs on Afghan positions, and additional weapons to the Witmar fighters. Mazar-I-Sharif is occupied by Witmar's detachment.
Afghan tribal formations dressed in national Afghan clothes - robes, turban - arrived to help the Afghan detachments in Mazar-I-Sharif. Tribal formations immediately engage in battle, trying to knock Witmar out of the city. Large in number, tribal formations are poorly organized, resume attacks in open terrain one after another, advance in a dense formation, but are cut off by oncoming gun and machine-gun fire from Witmar fighters.
21. INT. TF-47 HEADQUARTERS — NATURAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. TF-47 HEADQUARTERS, COMBAT CONTROL CENTER.
A room with a large number of telephones, military maps, where the borders of provinces, counties are outlined, the names of settlements are marked. Oberst Jung gathers deputies and commanders of special forces groups for a meeting at the "Combat Control Center". The room is filled with officers.
OBERST JUNG
Our agents have revealed the plans of the Taliban leaders — Moulawi Shamsutdin and Mullah Abdul Rahman, to organize a series of attacks on columns of German military equipment and to commit a terrorist attack on the Bundeswehr garrison in Kunduz. Based on strategic expediency, TF-47 begins to develop an operation plan codenamed "Joker". The analysis of intelligence data with a high degree of probability indicates the appearances and permanent residence of the leaders Shamsutdin and Abdul Rahman. The objects are monitored around the clock.
(Jung suddenly turns to Bruno)
Despite your lack of practical experience in the participation and planning of special operations, for a speedy entry into the combat environment, I include you in the list of developers of Operation Joker. I hope it pays off!
And now, Ober-lieutenant Thevs, read the intercepted fresh report.
Oberst Jung pushed a folder of documents towards Bruno. Bruno did not hesitate to start reading.
BRUNO
"I, Moulawi Shamsutdin, the leader of the Taliban movement in Kunduz province, order the detachments under my control to attack the columns of German trucks in order to seize large-capacity trucks. We will stuff them with explosives and, by means of a suicide driver who will break through the security cordons, we will send them inside the Bundeswehr garrison in Kunduz, to the places of concentration of the German military, their living quarters. We'll blow them up there! The attack on the garrison will be continued by small arms and grenade launcher fire of our mobile groups that invaded after them."
22. EXT. KUNDUZ–BAGHLAN HIGHWAY — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ–BAGHLAN HIGHWAY, ALIABAD DISTRICT.
On the highway near Kunduz, from both sides of the road, the Taliban launch an armed attack on the Bundeswehr convoy. Grenade launchers were the first to hit the head and tail of the column, igniting the first and last cars of escort. Intense shooting can be heard.
Bruno and his group on armored personnel carriers are cut off from other vehicles by heavy fire. The special forces dismount and engage in battle.
One of the commandos is wounded in the neck, blood is gushing from the wound.
Bruno, under fire, quickly crawls up to the commando, grabs his ammunition and hurriedly drags him to shelter.
Bruno gives the commando an injection of the painkiller promedol, bandages the wound.
The Taliban capture two large-tonnage 50-ton tankers filled to capacity with diesel fuel. The Taliban shoot the drivers of the tankers and dump their bodies in a ditch. The Taliban hijack tankers from a busy highway to a country road in the direction of the nearest village.
23. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — NATURAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: TF-47 HEADQUARTERS. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE
Bruno, in a dusty military uniform, with a dirty face, enters the office of Oberst Jung.
BRUNO
(to Oberst Jung)
Mr. Oberst, the Taliban attacked our convoy on the Kunduz-Baghlan highway. Part of the equipment was burned; the drivers were killed and there are wounded. Two large-capacity trucks full of fuel were stolen in an unknown direction. The attack confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence information. A wounded Taliban who took part in the attack on the convoy was detained in hot pursuit. According to his testimony, the organizers of the attack were identified, and they were taken into operational investigation.
OBERST JUNG
(to Bruno)
Ober-lieutenant! Urgently send a request to the headquarters of the North group in Mazar-I-Sharif for aerial photography of the area. It is necessary to establish the location of the stolen equipment!
BRUNO
(in a statutory tone)
Yes, Mr. Oberst!
24. EXT. KUNDUZ–BAGHLAN HIGHWAY — DAY.
When crossing the rapidly flowing narrow river Kunduz-dara, the tankers get stuck in the gravel-sand soil. The Taliban brought two Soviet tractors "Belarus" with cables from the nearest village of Omar Kheyl to pull out the tankers.
The Taliban want to empty the tanks and invited local residents to replenish their personal supplies of diesel fuel. A long queue of local farmers with cans and other containers has accumulated near the tanks.
25. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — NATURAL LIGHTING.
Bruno, in his field uniform, knocks on Oberst Jung's office.
BRUNO
May I come in, Mr. Oberst?
OBERST JUNG
Come in, Ober-lieutenant!
What news?!
BRUNO
(briskly)
We have received pictures from the location of the tankers. They got stuck in the sandy soil of the mouth of the Kunduz-dara River near the village of Omar Kheyl in Chahar-dara county.
(passes the pictures)
See, here they are. The equipment is surrounded by a crowd of civilians.
OBERST JUNG
(in a commanding tone)
Urgently send this to the aviation support headquarters, let them immediately strike at their location!
Bruno is slightly taken aback.
BRUNO
But there are civilians there, Herr Oberst! There will be great sacrifices!
OBERST JUNG
(dissatisfied, in a strict tone)
What kind of sentimentality
Ober-lieutenant! There's a war here!
(pause)
You seem to have forgotten what happened to your father?!
(disgustedly)
Bruno takes the photographs and leaves Oberst Jung's office.
26. NAT. MOUNTAIN VILLAGE — DAY.
TITLE: HOST-VA-FERENG, AFGHANISTAN.
A small adobe house on the outskirts of an Afghan village, three people are sitting on a carpet in the courtyard in front of the entrance to the dwelling, recording interviews. The interviewee is a former mujahid of the Afghan War (1979-1989), one—armed ISMATULLAH.
The interviewer, reporter OTTO Greenberg, holds a voice recorder and microphone in different hands and asks Ismatullah questions.
An Afghan translator from Dari and Pashto, SULTAN MUHADI, translates Otto's questions to Ismatullah and simultaneously records the interview on a video camera.
ISMATULLAH
(with importance)
I fought in the detachment of the field commander Kazi Kabir Marzban, an associate of Ahmad Shah Massoud.
(pause)
I will tell you the story of a dramatic battle in the mountain range of Mugulan, Cholbahir and Tali Gobang in June 1986. Our detachment inflicted significant damage to Soviet landing groups landed by helicopters at the heights closest to our positions. It so happened that our firing points were above the Shuravi landing site. This gave us a significant advantage in battle. For several hours we methodically hit them with fire. Despite their difficult situation, the Shuravi fought stoutly. At the place where the Shuravi stacked their dead and wounded, under boulders, I found this.
Ismatulla hands Otto a notebook stained with dried blood and two photographs enclosed in it.
ISMATULLAH
They belonged to a Soviet soldier.
Otto opened a brown leather notebook with sticky pages, took out two photographs. On one, a beautiful girl, on the other – against the background of a Soviet combat helicopter, six comrades were standing in an embrace. Both photos are signed in Russian.
27. EXT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE.
Otto takes a taxi to the teahouse on the "Kunduz circle", the central square of Kunduz with a lot of shops, doucans, eateries and service points.
YAKUB KHAN sees Otto at the entrance, breaks into a smile, fervently puts his palm to his heart, offers to enter with a wave of his hand.
28. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Otto, entering the teahouse, loudly greets the visitors sitting inside — AsSalamu alaikum!
Otto makes an order to Yakub Khan on the move, follows him to the back of the hall. There he chooses a corner couch under the cooling air conditioner, takes off his shoes, climbs onto the couch covered with a felt mat, stretches his legs. Otto is very tired.
In the cramped oblong space of the hall, Otto sees three fans slowly rotating the blades from the ceiling, driving air flows. People in Afghan national clothes and traditional headdresses are eating and drinking tea on the couch, peacefully talking. On the wall is a large portrait of the smiling Mujahideen leader Ahmad Shah Massoud.
The guests are served by the son of Yakub Khan - ZALMAY, a sporty dark—skinned youth of thirteen with an embroidered kandahari (Pashtun skullcap with a domed slit in front), black wavy hair. Zalman wears a patterned vest over a traditional Afghan shirt (perukhan, an Afghan national costume in the form of a knee-length shirt with trousers).
Otto sprawled on a wide couch resting and waiting for the order to be delivered. Contemplating the street hustle, medieval faces in traditional clothes, brisk market bargaining, donkey and horse-drawn carriage, chaises, carts, a caravan of two-humped giant camels arriving from afar, loaded with huge bales of goods, the noise of incessant street hubbub is heard. Otto takes out the notebook and photographs handed over by Ismatulla, looks at a group photo with six Soviet soldiers. Than puts the photo back in the backpack. He leans back, enters a doze.
Zalmay brings Otto on a tray a sizzling lamb rib kebab, just removed from the grill, a hot tandoor tortilla, a pot of green tea. Otto continues to rest, leaning the back of his head against the wall, eyes closed. Otto, through a doze, hears the measured creaking of fan blades, the clink of dishes, the clatter of bones, the shuffling of checkers "shesh-besh", the multilingual hubbub of tea house guests, the soulful song "Khuda Bowad Yarat" by the cult Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir from the sound speakers.
Otto dozed off.
29. EXT. THE SHORE OF A SMALL RIVER — DAY.
TITLE: OMAR KHEYL VILLAGE, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
Two F-15ES fighter-bombers of the ISAF forces appear in the sky, fly over 2 German tankers hijacked by the Taliban and hundreds of civilians of the village of Omar Kheyl, who are waiting in line to fill the tanks with diesel fuel. They are bombing people and tankers. Up to 160 civilians are killed, including women and children.
30. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Otto's nap is interrupted by the loud noise of a low-flying pair of jet planes. The rumble of heavy bombs falling nearby can be heard, shaking the ground.
Sirens can be heard; dozens of ambulances are rushing along the central street past the Yakub Khan teahouse at high speed.
Yakub Khan is alarmed, quickly moves to the exit to the street, looks after the cavalcade of "ambulances". Yakub Khan goes back into the teahouse, deftly adjusts the radio to the news wave, turns up the sound of the radio, listens to the text of the emergency issue. Otto looks at Yakub Khan, YAKUB KHAN is stunned.
OTTO
(sensing trouble, he asks)
What happened?!
YAKUB KHAN
ISAF aircraft carried out an air strike in the vicinity of the village of Omar Kheyl.
(mournfully)
They report a large number of civilian casualties.
OTTO
Where is Omar Kheyl?!
YAKUB KHAN
Nearby, from Kunduz, two kilometers to the south, then the same amount to the west.
Otto leaves money for food, hurriedly leaves the teahouse.
31. INT. SPINZAR HOTEL. OTTO'S ROOM — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. SPINZAR HOTEL.
Otto is sitting in an armchair in his hotel room, watching the news on TV. German TV channels broadcast: "As a result of NATO air strikes in the Chahar-dara district of Kunduz province, more than 100 Afghan civilians were killed."
Otto switched to an Afghan English-language TV channel, where it is reported: "ISAF aircraft carried out an airstrike on the village of Omar Kheyl in Kunduz province, as a result, 70 Taliban and 30 Afghan civilians were killed - there are women and children."
Otto calls the translator Sultan Mukhadi by phone.
OTTO
Sultan, I need you! We definitely need to go to the village of Omar Kheyl!
32. EXT. SPINZAR HOTEL — DAY.
A taxi pulls up to the hotel with Sultan Mukhadi sitting in the passenger seat in front, Otto gets into the back seat, the car hurriedly drives off.
33. EXT. A WASTELAND, THE OUTSKIRTS OF AN AFGHAN VILLAGE — DAY.
TITLE: OMAR-KHEYL VILLAGE, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
Otto and Sultan Muhadi arrive at the site of the airstrike, get out of the car. The taxi remains waiting for them.
Otto and Sultan Muhadi can see the overturned burnt large German tankers, fuel spilled on the ground, fragments of human bodies and clothing fabrics scattered for hundreds of meters.
Otto takes several pictures, looks for eyewitnesses to question, but is prevented by Afghan employees from the ISAF assistance force unit. They are pushing Otto and Sultan Muhadi away from the scene of the tragedy.
Otto returns to the taxi, leans towards the window of the driver sitting at the wheel and, handing over the cash for the trip, makes a request.
OTTO
Here's the money for the round trip. If we do not leave the village by 20.00, inform the administration of the Spinzar Hotel about it.
The taxi driver agrees.
Otto and Sultan Mukhadi leave, bypassing the site of the airstrike, they penetrate deep into the village of Omar-Kheyl.
Otto and Sultan Muhadi pass by mud-brick dwellings, encounter oncoming Afghans, through Sultan Muhadi's translator Otto invites them to give an interview, but this only causes negativity and malicious remarks. Afghans look at Otto and Sultan Muhadi with hatred and do not want to communicate with them.
At the entrance to one of the dwellings, Otto and Sultan Muhadi find themselves trapped: three Taliban armed with machine guns point the muzzles of their machine guns at them, tie their hands, and capture them.
SULTAN MUKHADI
(To the Taliban men)
Do you know that this European is a professional journalist, a reporter for a German publishing house?!
He's not a military man!
SENIOR TALIBAN
(ignoring the question, strictly)
Think about yourself! Pray to the Almighty that your children are not orphaned!
The Taliban take the prisoners in an unknown direction.
34. NAT. WASTELAND, THE OUTSKIRTS OF AN AFGHAN VILLAGE — EVENING, DUSK, NATURAL LIGHT.
A wasteland, the scene of a tragedy on the outskirts of the village of Omar-Kheyl, a tired taxi driver looks at his wristwatch. The taxi driver looks around the area, starts the car engine, slowly moves off, drives onto the highway, and departs.
35. INT. KUNDUZ. SPINZAR HOTEL — LATE EVENING, ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
The taxi driver enters the lobby, goes to the counter, informs the hotel administration about the disappearance of Otto and Sultan Muhadi in Omar-Kheyl.
36. INT.OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — DAY.
TITLE: TF-47 HEADQUARTERS, OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE.
Oberst Jung is holding a meeting with a group of officers at a long table, discussing the search for Taliban leaders — Shamsutdin and Mullah Abdul Rahman. Phones are ringing incessantly in the office; Oberst Jung is depressed.
OBERST JUNG
(with irritation)
The airstrike on Omar-Kheyl caused a wide response. The Bundeswehr High Command, the KSK command, Bundestag deputies, international humanitarian organizations, all want to know: "Who gave the order for the airstrike in Omar-Kheyl?!" "What were the targets of the strike?" "What is the actual number of civilian casualties?!" and so on.
Oberst looks into the eyes of Bruno sitting in the center of the table. Bruno looks away.
OBERST JUNG
(excited)
But this does not cancel the operation "The Joker"! The elimination of the organizers of the attacks on the Bundeswehr columns of Moulavi Shamsutdin and Mullah Abdul Rahman, who are hatching plans to attack the TF-47 garrison in Kunduz, remains a priority for us!
Unfortunately, the intelligence data on the whereabouts of the Taliban leaders that flocked to the TF47 Combat Control Center for a month constantly vary.
This does not allow us to act for sure. However, yesterday, intelligence sources gave similar information.
Based on them, Moulawi Shamsutdin, accompanied by twenty-five Taliban devotees, should arrive at the village of Khalazai at the appointed time.
We will start the operation early in the morning, an hour before the muezzin's call to the pre-dawn Fajr prayer. This will take the Taliban by surprise.
More!
(pauses)
The course of the operation is complicated by the fact that the point of arrival of Shamsutdin with a detachment in the village of Khalazai coincides with the place of detention of civilian hostages, among whom there is also a reporter of the magazine "Der Spiegel" Otto Greenberg, along with an Afghan translator.
(pause)
Our task is to eliminate Shamsutdin and his people, preventing the death of hostages. I entrust its execution to the group of Ober-lieutenant Bruno Thevs.
Oberst Jung gets up from his seat, goes to a large map hanging on the wall.
OBERST JUNG
(to officers)
I suggest we approach the map.
The officers leave the table, stand behind the Oberst in a semicircle.
OBERST JUNG
The village of Khalazai.
(pointing the red beam)
The method of delivery of special forces by air. After the landing, it is necessary to urgently and accurately establish in which rooms the Taliban are located and where the hostages are being held. This will dictate the choice of fire density.
Work jewelry! The first thing the Taliban will do when you break into the premises is to start shooting hostages.
This will happen even if the Taliban did not plan to do it ahead of time. The key to success is in the factor of surprise, coherence of actions.
(to Bruno)
Do you understand, Ober-lieutenant?!
BRUNO
(statutory)
That's right, Mr. Oberst!
The officers leave the Oberst's office. Zimmer stays in the office and turns to Oberst Jung.
ZIMMER
Why did you assign the task to an untrained Thevs, Mr. Oberst?
OBERST JUNG
Thevs and Shamsutdin have their own scores. In a battle with his squad in 1986, Thevs's father died. Let him taste the sweetness of retribution.
37. EXT. HELIPAD — NIGHT. DARKNESS.
TF-47 garrison helipad. Oberst Jung and Ober-lieutenant Thevs approach the helicopters. Bruno looks at his watch – the hands show 02.15.
Two crews of NHI NH90 helicopters and two groups of special forces — 20 fighters each - are waiting for departure for the operation with slight excitement.
Oberst Jung screams, trying to be heard by Bruno over the noise of running engines and rotating blades.
OBERST JUNG
Good luck, Ober-lieutenant!
BRUNO
(To Jung)
Thank you, Mr. Oberst!
Bruno jumps into the helicopter that has started to rise, stands at the edge, the flight technician pushes Bruno inside, slams the door.
38. EXT. KHALAZAI VILLAGE - EARLY MORNING. FLASHES OF DAWN.
TITLE: KHALAZAI VILLAGE, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
The special forces descend on the village unexpectedly, acting with lightning speed. Bruno and his group kick out doors with their feet and gun butts, break into the premises of adobe buildings, open fire on the Taliban. They receive a fierce rebuff from the Taliban. Hostages are rushing to the sides, huddling in corners, trying to hide from the crossfire.
Bruno breaks into one of the rooms, there are dead and wounded.
A wounded Talib lies on the floor, looks at Bruno with a pleading look so that Bruno does not shoot him, Bruno comes closer, looms over Talib and, without hesitation, shoots Talib in the head.
The Taliban are killed. The shooting stops.
There are hostages among the survivors and wounded.
BRUNO
(to special forces group)
Specify the losses!
Bruno takes a photo out of his breast pocket with his hands in leather mittens, starts looking for the leader Shamsutdin among the killed Taliban, examines everyone in detail. He understands that Shamsutdin is not among the killed Taliban.
BRUNO
(hissing with annoyance)
Gone!
SPECIAL FORCES MAN
(to Bruno)
Herr Ober-lieutenant!
We have two dead, three wounded.
"Der Spiegel" reporter Otto Greenberg was wounded.
Bruno gets in touch with Oberst Jung.
BRUNO
(disappointedly)
Mr. Oberst, it's over!
(pause)
I have two dead, three wounded, with varying degrees of severity. The reporter of "Der Spiegel" is also wounded... damn him!
OBERST JUNG
(serene)
What about Shamsutdin?!
BRUNO
He is not among the dead. But no one left the perimeter.
(with anger)
I don't understand where we missed him!
There is silence on the air.
OBERST JUNG
(critically)
Bad!
(pause)
OK, after returning to base — debriefing! As for the evacuation of our dead and wounded, load them into a helicopter and into Mazar—I-Sharif. Load the Der Spiegel reporter onto an armored personnel carrier and take him to the MSF Doctors Without Borders (MSF) civilian hospital in Kunduz— there's nothing for him to do in our military hospital!
He already broke our operation.
Oberst Jung comes off the air, a special forces soldier approaches Bruno.
SPECIAL FORCES MAN
Reporter Greenberg's translator, an Afghan, was found. According to the documents, Sultan Mukhadi. In a shootout, he was shot in the head, died on the spot.
BRUNO
(to the special forces man)
I suppose Oberst Jung is not interested in this.
There are five ATF DINGO-2 armored personnel carriers at the site of the operation.
TF47 special forces medics give Otto Greenberg an analgesic injection, the thigh stitched with a bullet is tightened with a tourniquet, bandages. A helicopter has arrived. Bruno orders two commandos to load the bodies of 2 dead and wounded commandos on board. The board lifts off the ground, Bruno switches to Otto Greenberg.
BRUNO
(with dissatisfaction to the commandos)
Load the reporter into an armored personnel carrier! There is an order to escort him to the MSF hospital in Kunduz.
Bruno sits in the front next to the driver, Greenberg and two special forces men — in the back.
39. INT. ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER ATF DINGO-2 — DAY.
They are going, Bruno stared ahead with a glassy gaze, he rides silently, everything is boiling inside him. They drive into Kunduz. Bruno turns sharply back, grabs OTTO by the collar and attacks Otto with a loud curse.
BRUNO
(to Otto)
What are you doing here?!
Why didn't you stay at home?!
You've disrupted our operation!
Two fighters were lost because of you, two more were wounded, Shamsutdin was missed!
OTTO
(pale from blood loss, pain shock, analgesic)
You do your job, I do mine!
After Otto's firm reply, Bruno fell behind.
40. EXT. MSF HOSPITAL — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ.MSF HOSPITAL.
The ATF-DINGO-2 armored personnel carrier with the wounded Otto Grinberg drives briskly into the courtyard of the Doctors Without Borders MSF hospital. The accompanying commandos help Otto get off, put him on a stretcher, bring him into the emergency room.
Bruno comes in after them.
41. INT. HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM — DAY
The reception room has snow-white walls, the staff in ironed clothes, everything is in turmoil.
BRUNO
(astonished - to the commandos)
Well! After the heat of Kunduz, this is a real paradise!
Here is an island of civilized Europe in the medieval East!
There's a commotion in the waiting room. Doctors come running, then run away again — nobody cares about the wounded Otto. Bruno is very nervous, looking with his eyes for someone to get rid of Otto sooner. Bruno sees that the paling Otto is getting worse.
BRUNO
(conciliatory)
Where do you live in Germany?
OTTO
(peaceably)
In Munich!
BRUNO
(slightly delighted)
Great! And I'm from the south -from Freiburg!
And what are you doing in Afghanistan?!
OTTO
I am collecting material for an article about the XX anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
BRUNO
To the anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops?!
(shows interest in the topic)
OK! But the Soviet troops left twenty years ago, and how is this connected with the events in Omar-Kheyl?!
How did you get there?!
OTTO
I'm a journalist!
(unperturbed)
My place is where things happen!
Bruno has thawed out.
OTTO
Ober-lieutenant, excuse me for being tactless, can I ask you about one thing?
BRUNO
(humorously)
I hope it's not to write an article for you?! With all my desire to be useful to you, we must remember that I am a military of the ISAF group and I have a lot of responsibilities: a entrusted unit and demanding superiors.
OTTO
The request is simple — you just need to stop by the Spinzar Hotel, where I rent a room, and pick up a large travel bag from there. It contains all my luggage: clothes, change of underwear.
The room is paid by the end of the month, there will be no problems with access.
(pause)
And here's another thing: there's an old, battered notebook in the top drawer of the bedside table. Please put it in the bag.
A pleasant female voice speaking German is heard from behind Bruno.
SEETA (V.O.)
Please put the wounded man on a gurney so that the orderly can take him to the operating room.
Bruno turns curiously, he is amazed – in front of him is a tall, beautiful oriental girl, her large dark brown eyes, long eyelashes, thick eyebrows against a light-skinned face, a thick black braid twisted into a ring reminded the stunned girl at the Mazar-I-Sharif airfield with her beauty. The girl is wearing a neat green medical suit — trousers and jacket, emphasizing a thin waist, lean loins, beautiful breasts, a badge "Dr.Akhmadzai" is attached to her chest.
BRUNO
(after reading the name on the badge)
Frau Akhmadzai, what a surprise!
You speak excellent German.
It's a pity that I'm only finding out about this now. At the airfield, to put it mildly, you were quite terse.
SEETA
(shyly)
This is my second language.
BRUNO
(surprised)
Strange. And I was sure that the first one.
SEETA
I was born, and until last year I lived in Germany, Munich.
An Afghan orderly appears, rolled up a gurney, inadvertently pushed Bruno with it. Bruno pulled back slightly.
SEETA
Excuse me, I have to go.
Seeta gave a low command to the orderly in Dari.
SEETA
Take the gurney to the operating room!
Seeta swam alongside with a graceful, dignified gait. Bruno got excited.
Otto, riding off on a gurney, shouts to Bruno, who is numb, watching Seeta go.
OTTO
Ober-lieutenant! What about my request?!
BRUNO
(mentally)
I must definitely come back here! Perhaps Otto's request is God's providence that allows me to come here again.
Bruno, without taking his eyes off Sita and following her with his eyes, answers.
BRUNO
Good! Warn the hotel administration by phone call, I will try to do it one of these days.
42. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — EVENING. TWILIGHT.
The summing up of Operation Joker has ended, the commanders of the special forces groups are leaving Oberst Jung's office. Oberst Jung passes by and sits down at his desk.
Ober lieutenant Zimmer sits in the chair at Oberst Jung's desk.
Bruno Tevs looks after the last person leaving and sits down in the chair opposite Zimmer.
Bruno is confused by Zimmer's presence, looks at Oberst Jung and addresses him.
BRUNO
(hesitating)
I have a question, Mr. Oberst!
Bruno looks at Zimmer.
OBERST JUNG
It's all right, Ober Lieutenant, tell me I have no secrets from counterintelligence.
BRUNO
This reporter from "Der Spiegel", Otto Greenberg, you remember him, made a household request, requiring, if you don't object, two hours of my time.
OBERST JUNG
Oh, I was thinking about him just now. This journalist may be very useful to us in the future.
(pause, Oberst thought)
OK! I rely on your responsibility, Ober-lieutenant, you are free!
Bruno comes out of Oberst Jung's office.
ZIMMER
(haughtily)
I don't like these Deutsch-Russians. You never know what's in their head.
Oberst Jung grinned.
OBERST JUNG
Take a closer look at him.
43. INT. SPORTS GYM — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno, dressed in a sports uniform, runs on a treadmill. Reduces the pace, looks at the clock, goes to a quick step, gets off the treadmill. Approaches the projectiles with a barbell, puts additional pancakes on the neck, proceeds to bench presses.
He finishes training, dries himself with a facial towel, drinks from a bottle of water, heads to the locker room. Takes a hot shower.
44. INT. BRUNO'S ROOM – EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno enters his room with replenished forces. Helmut ZIMMER, his roommate, is awake.
Bruno greets Zimmer with a nod of his head, lies down on the cot dressed, looks at the ceiling, thinks. He takes a book out of the bedside table and plunges into reading.
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN"
45. EXT. ALIABAD VILLAGE — DAY.
TITLE: ALIABAD VILLAGE, NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN. THE HEADQUARTERS OF KURBASHI IBRAHIM BEK, 1929.
The outskirts of the village, near a large yurt a dozen horses are tied on a pole. A RIDER gallops up, hurriedly heading to a large yurt.
46. INT. BIG YURT — DAY.
Three dozen Basmachi are sitting in a circle inside the yurt, drinking tea, eating pilaf, boiled mutton with their hands, breaking off flat bread and passing it to each other.
In the back, facing the entrance, sits kurbashi Ibrahim bek, statuesque, broad-shouldered, dark-skinned with a black beard in a white turban and a national robe.
A rider enters the yurt.
RIDER
(loudly greeting)
"AsSalamu Alaikum!"
The rider disarms at the entrance, gives up his saber, goes inside, approaches Ibrahim bek, bends his knee, comes close to his ear, reports:
RIDER
Venerable Kurbashi!
A detachment of the Red Army invaded Afghanistan this morning. Their strength is up to 500 sabers.
47. EXT. AFGHANISTAN — DAY
A large detachment of Uzbek kurbashi Ibrahim bek is moving to defeat Witmar's detachment.
48. EXT. AFGHANISTAN — DAY
The advanced patrol of Witmar's detachment discovers a picket of Ibrahim bek's cavalry. Witmar personally leads the patrol.
WITMAR
(ordered to the assistant)
Put up 8 artillery pieces in the main direction!
Install two machine guns on both sides of the road. Take the nearest section of road under the sights.
Let the Basmachi cavalry get as close as possible. Open direct fire from artillery guns on my command.
Hit the head of the approaching basmachs column with three guns, three — at the end, two — in the center. Complete the defeat with machine gun fire from the flanks.
A battle ensued, Ibrahim bek's basmachi fiercely resist, but are completely defeated by Witmar's fighters. The Basmachi are fleeing from the battlefield in a panic. Witmar's warriors overtake and destroy the fleeing Basmachi. Only a handful of Basmachi with Ibrahim bek are fleeing.
49. INT. BRUNO'S ROOM — EVENING. LAMP LIGHT.
Bruno finishes reading the chapter, puts the book in the nightstand. Bruno remembers the beautiful Afghan doctor Ahmadzai.
THERE IS A VISUAL SERIES:
The hospital, Dr. Seeta Akhmadzai — her large dark brown eyes, long eyelashes, thick eyebrows against a light-skinned face, a thick black braid twisted into a ring. A neat green medical suit — trousers and jacket emphasize a thin waist, lean loins, beautiful breasts.
Bruno returned from his thoughts, extinguishes the floor lamp, goes to bed with a positive attitude.
50. INT. HOTEL SPINZAR— DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. SPINZAR HOTEL.
Bruno arrives at the hotel, enteres the spacious lobby and approaches the receptionist. The administrator has already been warned.
Bruno goes up to the second floor.
51. INT. HOTEL. OTTO'S ROOM - DAY.
Bruno enters Otto's room, takes a large travel bag out of the closet, puts it on the bed, goes to the bedside table where the notebook is, pulls the handle, takes out an old notebook in a brown leather binding with frayed edges, casually throws it inside the bag.
The edges of two yellowed photographs with streaks of dried blood protrude from a notebook that has fallen on top of things. Bruno notices something very familiar, native in these scraps of photos.
Bruno opens the notebook, sees on one of the pictures his young mother, nee Rosa Schmidt, on the other, six Soviet soldiers standing in an embrace. His father, Konstantin Thevs, who died in Afghanistan, is standing on the left, smiling.
NOTE: A COPY OF THIS COLLECTIVE PHOTO IS FRAMED AT THEIR HOME IN FREIBURG ON THE SIDEBOARD IN THE LIVING ROOM. KONSTANTIN SENT THIS PICTURE IN A LETTER TO DZHAMBUL HOME IN EARLY 1985, DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF HIS STAY IN AFGHANISTAN.
In the corner on the back of the photo it is written diagonally: "To my beloved wife Rosa and our son, whom we will call Bruno, from Dad. Kunduz. Afghanistan, February 1985." Bruno is amazed.
52. INT. OTTO'S HOSPITAL WARD — DAY.
Frantic Bruno runs into the hospital Otto's ward. Bruno is holding an old notebook and photographs of his Father.
Otto is lying on a cot with a bandaged leg, peacefully having lunch, eating soup, thinking about something.
Bruno steps up to Otto, knocks him off the bed. There is a crash, the clink of broken dishes.
Otto is lying on the floor, terrified.
Bruno shoves photos under Otto's nose.
BRUNO
From where?!
OTTO
(indignantly)
Do you know, Ober-lieutenant, that it is indecent to rummage in other people's things?!
Otto guessed that Bruno's frenzy is connected with photographs that obviously have a direct relationship to him.
OTTO
(sincerely)
From the Mujahideen!
BRUNO
(persistently)
Get ready! Let's go... and show the one who gave it to you!
OTTO
(serene)
First of all, it's not possible right now because I can't walk.
Secondly, I never disclose my sources, this is professional ethics!
Bruno's high—pitched speech startled medical staff and three Afghan civilians lying on nearby beds. The nurse on duty and doctor Seeta Akhmadzai enter the ward.
SEETA
(in a firm voice)
What's going on?!
BRUNO
(realizing the presence of the problem)
It's all right, Frau, we were clarifying service issues.
SEETA
(in a firm voice)
This is not a military hospital; official investigations are not conducted here!
Please leave the ward!
Dr. Seeta Akhmadzai pretentiously points with her hand to the exit.
BRUNO
(resigned)
Okay, I'll leave!
Bruno quickly leaves the room, walks down a long corridor. Otto jumps up from his bunk, leaning on crutches in a hurry to catch up with Bruno. Otto comes out of the room, shouts after Bruno who has reached the end of the corridor.
OTTO
(loudly)
Wait, Ober-lieutenant!
Bruno stops. Together with Otto they leave the room into the hospital garden.
53. EXT. HOSPITAL GARDEN — DAY.
Otto and Bruno are sitting on a bench, having a conversation.
BRUNO
(bitterly)
These are the things of my deceased father.
Bruno's eyes filled with moisture.
OTTO
(astonished)
So your father was a Soviet soldier and died in Khost Wa Firing?!
BRUNO
Yes!
(pause)
After his death, my mother and I moved to Germany.
OTTO
(with empathy)
There it is!
(pause)
I promise you, as soon as I switch to the cane, we will certainly go with you to the village in Khost Wa Firing to the Mujahideen who gave me these photos and a notebook.
(pause)
And now, as part of my promise, I have two reciprocal requests to you.
First, you need to go to the brother of the deceased translator Sultan Mukhadi, Yahya, and give his family money from me. At the same time, offer Yahya to work as a translator on our trip to Khost Wa Firing.
Second, I strongly ask you to change from a military uniform to a civilian one during the trip. Or better yet, in traditional Afghan clothes. My personal experience in the tragedy in Omar Kheyl has shown that it is not necessary to arouse anger among the Taliban and poor Afghans.
54. INT. OTTO'S HOSPITAL WARD — DAY.
Otto and Bruno are back in the ward, Otto takes a sealed envelope from the brought travel bag, passes it to Bruno.
OTTO
The envelope contains money for the family of the deceased Sultan Muhadi and the address where you will find his brother Yahya Mukhadi.
55. EXT. HOSPITAL GARDEN — FLASHES OF DAWN
Otto, leaning on a cane, walks around the hospital garden, waiting for Bruno.
A taxi with Bruno arrives, Otto gets in, the taxi is leaving.
56. INT. TAXI ON THE STREETS OF KUNDUZ — FLASHES OF DAWN.
Bruno and Otto drive through Kunduz in a taxi, they drive into one of the streets, stop at an adobe house.
Interpreter YAHYA MUKHADI is waiting for them, getting into a taxi - all three are heading to the mountainous region of Khost Wa Firing, the village of Yahchan-Khurd.
57. EXT. YAHCHAN-KHURD VILLAGE — DAY.
TITLE: YAHCHAN-KHURD VILLAGE, KHOST WA FIRING COUNTY, BAGHLAN PROVINCE.
The taxi stops at the home of the former mujahid one-armed Ismatullah. The passengers are getting out.
Yahya Muhadi's call "Ismatullah" is answered by an agitated Ismatullah.
OTTO
(positively)
AsSalamu Alaikum Ismatullah!
ISMATULLAH
(suspiciously)
Vaaleikum AsSalam!
OTTO
(pointing with his hand)
This is the son of one of the Shuravi who died in the battle that you told me about. His name is Bruno.
Yahya translates Otto's words.
Ismatulla looks guiltily and sadly into Bruno's eyes and, putting his right palm to his heart, bows his head.
Ismatullah is shivering with excitement, holding the stump of his left arm with his palm, hidden in the sleeve of a perukhan (Afghan long shirt) tied with a ribbon.
ISMATULLAH
(with empathy)
I am sincerely sorry. A lot of our Mujahideen and Shuravi died in that battle. You see...
(ostentatiously stretches out the stump of his left arm)
...in that war, I got badly hurt.
Yahya Muhadi translates Ismatullah's speech.
A gang of children aged from seven to eleven years runs up. Three of them — two boys and a younger girl — are nailed to Ismatulla, take him in a tight embrace in the waist area.
BRUNO
(surprised)
Are these yours?!
ISMATULLAH
(proudly)
Al-Hamdu li-Llahi! My younger ones!
Bruno takes out hundreds of euro bills from his pocket, passes one to each of the children.
The children take the money and, looking into Ismatullah's eyes, immediately hand it over to him.
BRUNO
(with joy)
Good upbringing!
Ismatullah was touched by the offering and put his hand to his heart.
ISMATULLAH
Tashakur!
(with gratitude, embarrassed)
It wasn't necessary at all.
Ismatullah gathers his thoughts, and with a wave of his hand invites Bruno, Otto and Yahya Mukhadi to go into the courtyard of his home.
58. INT. ISMATULLAH'S HOUSE — DAY.
Ismatullah, Bruno, Otto and Yahya Muhadi enter the house.
Women, girls of the family, who are busy with the household, seeing strange men, jump up from their seats and hurriedly leave. Ismatullah and the guests take off their shoes, sit down on a colorful screen. One of the sons – a young man of eleven years old brings tea. Ismatullah pours it into bowls, begins the story.
ISMATULLAH
It was the middle of June 1986.
DOCUMENTARY VISUAL SERIES WITH AFGHAN MUJAHIDEEN ATTACKING SOVIET TRANSPORT CONVOYS
ISMATULLA (VO)
The Shuravi were pulling columns from Kunduz to Faizabad. Groups of Mujahideen attacked their columns and mined the highway.
Our detachment was waiting for the order of Commander Kazi Kabir to descend from the mountains and strengthen these groups with weapons and additional manpower.
In the early morning of June 16, 1986, we heard the sound of approaching helicopters and saw the landing troops.
The confrontation was stubborn. There were dead and wounded on both sides. But Shuravi had a lot of them.
The fight lasted all day. It continued at night. Then I was wounded and miraculously survived.
With his remaining hand, Ismatullah moves a fruit dish on the table closer to the guests.
ISMATULLAH
After two months of treatment in Pakistan, I returned to the squad. This coincided with the time when the Mujahideen were rebuilding the destroyed base. At the place where the Shuravi were storing their dead and wounded, under boulders, I found a notebook that had fallen out of the pocket of one of the Shuravi and two photos enclosed in it — six soldiers standing in an embrace and a Russian girl. The notebook was covered in blood.
(looking at Bruno)
The day your reporter friend came to Yahchan Khurd, promising to write the truth about the Afghan war, I told him about that dramatic battle and handed over these relics.
(pause)
The Russians were brave warriors, not like these cowards from ISAF.
Otto and Bruno exchanged glances.
BRUNO
(resolutely)
Can we get to that place?!
ISMATULLA
Why not?! It's not far from here.
(lifting a beige pakol - Afghan headdress from his sweating forehead, with a reservation)
Unless, of course, you are ready to spend the night in the mountains?!
BRUNO
(resolutely)
We are ready!
59. NAT. VILLAGE OF YAHCHAN-KHURD - MORNING FLASHES OF DAWN.
Ismatullah, Bruno and Yahya Mukhadi load blankets, a bag of provisions, leather bales with water on 2 donkeys and set out on their way. Otto sees them off them and stays in the village.
60. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION — TWILIGHT
Ismatulla, Bruno, Yahya Mukhadi walk along the bottom of a deep gorge, squeezed by mountain ranges at the mouths of narrow, rapidly flowing river.
61. NAT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DARK.
The expedition stops moving, breaks up a bivouac.
Ismatullah is lighting a bonfire. Bruno, Yahya Mukhadi, Ismatullah are warming themselves by the campfire, Ismatullah skillfully removes the kettle from the fire, pours tea into bowls for everyone, passes pieces of flatbread to everyone.
62. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
Ismatullah loads the donkeys with belongings and, together with Bruno, Yahya Mukhadi, sets out on his way.
The village of Dekhmiran is visible ahead, it is spread out at the foot of the mountain with the back side pressed against a gentle saddle.
Ismatullah leads Bruno and Yahya Mukhadi up the mountain. All three ascend to the top, descend into the saddle lying between two mountains.
Ismatullah stops, looks around, gets visibly excited. He turns to face one of the peaks, covers his eyes with his palm from the blinding edge of the sun from behind the edge of the mountain, and begins the narration.
63. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
TITLE: KHOST WA FIRING, BAGHLAN PROVINCE. THE MOUNTAIN STAGE OF OPERATION MANEUVER, JUNE 1986.
To the mountain plateau (saddle) a pair of Soviet MI-8MT helicopters flies up and hovers between the mountains.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Early in the morning, Soviet helicopters arrived and began landing troops here.
Rebels who came out of hiding are hitting helicopters from grenade launchers from the slopes of the mountains.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
The site was under the control of our firing points. We immediately opened targeted fire and burned two of their helicopters in a short time.
Two MI-8MT helicopters are engulfed in flames, burning.
The fire of the rebels is intensified by small arms fire.
KOSTER, MONGOL, SIDOR, STRELA, RUST, KOSTYAN jump out of 2 burning helicopters with heavy weapons, they immediately join the battle. There is a stubborn fire confrontation.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Our snipers hit several of their commanders, who were giving orders in battle, fighters, and disabled all radio station.
Rebel snipers hit the officer giving orders, fighters, and aim at portable radio stations.
64. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
TITLE: OUR TIME.
Bruno is standing a meter and a half away from Ismatullah, attentively listening to his narrative from Yahya Mukhadi's translation.
Bruno sees the surviving evidence of the battle — rusted fragments of blades and fuselage of burnt Soviet helicopters, emptied rusty machine gun belts, scattered shell casings.
Bruno is mentally transported back to June 1986, feels like an eyewitness to the confrontation.
65. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
TITLE: YEAR 1986.
There is a stubborn battle, the crackle of bursts, the roar of exploding shells. The number of dead and wounded in Shuravi is growing. The Shuravi and the rebels are struck by fire.
Koster, Mongol, Rust, Strela, Sidor are active in battle. Kostyan selflessly hits with a machine gun, covers his comrades. Scouts are dragging wounded and dead comrades out of the zone of continuous fire into the natural folds of the terrain, behind boulders.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Night fell. The Shuravi decided to make a daring raid.
Scouts Rust, Sidor, Strela, Mongol, Koster, Kostyan (Bruno's father) stretch out in a long chain, wrap around the mountain from the adjacent saddle, set a distance, everyone sees the outlines of comrades ascending on both sides. They begin a silent hidden ascent.
Kostyan follows in the center, Rust to his right, Strela to his left, and Mongol is even to the left.
A group of scouts reaches a distance of 30 meters to the dome of the mountain.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Then I just took up guard duty — I was a sentry. Suddenly in the darkness I heard a crumble of small stone.
Kostyan, rising from the side of the saddle, is discovered by the rebel sentry, Ismatulla, who is carrying guard duty.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
I saw a tall, sturdy guy sneaking from below. As powerful as you are. I immediately fired an automatic burst at him, hitting him on the spot.
Amazed by the Shuravi who came close, the rebel sentry Ismatullah bellows: "Allahu Akbar" — and immediately focuses a burst from a machine gun on Kostyan.
66. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - NIGHT.
TITLE: OUR TIME.
Bruno is shocked by Ismatullah's story.
Ismatullah took a few steps forward and, turning, stamped his foot on the edge of the height.
ISMATULLA
Here!
(pointing downwards)
It was here!
Bruno has a rapid throbbing in his temples.
67. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - NIGHT.
TITLE: YEAR 1986.
Kostyan falls, rolls down the slope, rests against a boulder.
There is a hubbub of Dari at the top.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Our whole squad woke up and took up arms, starting to shoot at the lowland where the Shuravi were.
The rebels open small-arms fire at the scouts from several barrels. The rebels are increasing their fire on the scouts in the saddle.
Strela is close to Kostyan. He crawls up to him and drags behind a boulder. Kostyan is no longer breathing.
Strela, without stopping, continues his rapid ascent, but is cut off by a short burst.
Rust, who is nearby, sees this, crawls up to Strela, hurriedly pulls him out of the affected area. Strela groans loudly. Rust quickly cuts a blood-soaked section of the mountain suit with a sharp bayonet knife, exposing the wound.
Strela is suffocating, trying to take a deeper breath in order to be able to say something.
STRELA
(barely)
Rust! I have a bad feeling about this. Do my request with the guys!
(pause, gaining strength)
After the demobilization, visit my mother in Leningrad!
RUST
(strictly)
Stop, Strela! We will come to Leningrad for your wedding. Mongol will build his tailagan in the Gulf of Finland.
Strela turns pale after a moment, raises his chin high and, wheezing, sharply relaxing his body, stops breathing. Strela's blue eyes remain open.
Rust palpates the ray pulse of Strela, it is not there.
Rust takes Strela's machine gun and, filled with rage, thirst for retribution, opens non-stop fire from it, rushes to the top.
Mongol rises from the side of Rust. As soon as Mongol runs into the dome of the mountain, he comes face to face with the sentry who killed Kostyan. The rebel is momentarily ahead of Mongol, pulling the trigger of his AKM first. A short burst throws Mongol back to the slope.
Mongol falls backwards, upside down. 5 shamanic tholes are moving up his neck from his chest. Mongol goes into agony, dies.
A group of scouts continues to advance.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
Shuravi were advancing from different sides, and we were no longer able to stop them. They ran to the top; I was able to defeat someone else. But while we were shooting at those who were rising from the saddle, we suddenly saw several Shuravi behind us, who came to our rear from where we were not expecting them.
Sidor, Koster and other scouts run out to the top from the back, no one is waiting for them there, they furiously, with loud obscenities, throw hand grenades at the rebels, finish them off with small arms fire.
The rebels at the top of the mountain are brutally destroyed, only some retire in the dark.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
The Shuravi started throwing grenades at us and hitting us with machine gun fire. The explosion of one of the grenades cut off my arm. It was hanging by tendons.
The rebel sentry, Ismatullah, retreats from the place of fire contact, his arm dangling on a tendon.
ISMATULLA (V.O.)
But, despite being seriously wounded with outside help with a handful of Mujahideen, I was lucky enough to escape.
(pause)
In the morning, helicopters arrived, and then planes, they began bombing all the heights, and our Mujahideen left the area.
68. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
Mi-8MT helicopters hover over the top of the mountain.
The survivors — Sidor, Rust, Koster, and other scouts load the bodies of their fallen comrades in raincoat tents on board of helicopters: Kostyan, Strela, Mongol, and the wounded. They climb themselves.
The MI-8MT helicopter lifts off the ground and gains altitude.
69. INT. HELICOPTER — DAY.
In the helicopter, Sidor, Rust, and Koster look with bitterness at the dead lying on the raincoat tents - Strela, Kostyan, and Mongol.
70. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
TITLE: OUR TIME.
Ismatullah finishes the narrative, looks down.
Bruno stands silently, taking deep breaths of the mountain air.
Bruno silently begins to collect the earth from the place where his father died in a cellophane bag, puts it in a backpack.
Bruno, Ismatullah, Yahya leave the area.
71. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
Ismatullah, Bruno and Yahya follow a narrow mountain path.
Ismatullah moves on foot, holding the donkey's bridle and leading Bruno and Yahya, who follow on donkeys.
The noise of falling stones - one, another, turned into a rockfall.
Ismatullah's donkey twitched, pulling Ismatullah towards the abyss.
Bruno and Yahya abruptly dismounted and leaned their backs against the slope.
The rockfall intensifies, the one-armed Ismatullah cannot hold his twitching donkey, they both shift to a steep cliff, the donkey pulls Ismatullah with him and falls into the abyss.
Ismatullah, who released the bridle from his hands, falls over the edge himself, remains hanging over the cliff, clinging with a death grip to the trunk of a chasmophyte sticking out of a rock crack. The crunch of a tree being uprooted from a rock is heard.
Bruno rushes to help Ismatullah, clings to the back of his head with both hands, pulls him up, tries to prevent falling into the abyss. Ismatullah drags Bruno into the abyss with his weight.
Yahya, who arrived in time, clung to Bruno's belt, holding him from falling. All three are close to death.
Yahya shouts at Bruno in German:
YAHYA
Let him go, there's no way to save him!
Bruno suddenly imagines a picture of the distant past, as mujahid Ismatullah discharges a burst of machine gun fire at his father in the night, fatally wounding him.
72. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - NIGHT.
TITLE: YEAR 1986.
Kostyan jumps out from behind a boulder with a machine gun at the ready.
Ismatullah shouts "Allahu Akbar" as loudly as he can out of fear and fires an automatic burst at Kostyan, who appeared in front of him.
Kostyan's eyes remain glassy, his pupils dilate, his strength immediately leaves him, the soldier cannot resist and fall on the spot, and collapsing rolls down the slope, resting against a boulder at the end.
73. EXT. THE MOUNTAIN REGION - DAY.
Bruno looks into the eyes of a confused Ismatullah, sees the horror of death. A moment later, Bruno pushes off from the rocky embankment with one hand and makes a dash with the other hand, pulling Ismatulla onto the path.
Bruno, Ismatullah and Yahya lie exhausted on the path, coughing, inhaling air.
74. EXT. YAHCHAN-KHURD VILLAGE — EVENING. IT'S GETTING DARK.
Ismatullah, Bruno, Yahya Mukhadi returned to Yahchan-Hurd, saying goodbye. Ismatulla, with a penitent look, extends his hand to Bruno to shake. Bruno holds out his hand in return. There is a handshake.
ISMATULLA
Forgive us, don't hold
a grudge. The years that have passed since Shuravi's departure have opened our eyes to many things. An epiphany, even if it comes decades later, makes sense.
Bruno accepts Ismatullah's words without emotion.
Bruno, Otto and Yahya get into a waiting taxi. The car is on its way.
Ismatullah remains standing by the road, waving after the departing taxi.
75. INT. TAXI — EVENING. IT'S GETTING DARK.
Bruno, sitting in the front seat, puts his hands into a weightless leather bag lying at the bottom in front of his feet, and secretly screws a silencer into a GLOCK G46 pistol.
The taxi turned the corner.
Bruno suddenly turns to Yahya.
BRUNO
Stop the taxi!
Yahya translates the order to the taxi driver, who stops abruptly.
BRUNO
I'll be right back.
Bruno picks up his bag, abruptly gets out of the taxi and, leaving at a brisk pace, disappears around the corner.
Otto and Yahya are perplexed, they are at a loss.
76. EXT. YAHCHAN-KHURD VILLAGE — EVENING. IT'S GETTING DARK.
Bruno quickly steps towards Ismatulla, who is still standing at the gate, the distance between Bruno and Ismatulla is rapidly decreasing.
Bruno took the safety off the pistol in his bag and is already approaching Ismatulla.
At this moment, a group of four of his younger children runs out from behind the gate to Ismatullah, they hug Ismatullah in their belt, drag him into the courtyard of the house.
Bruno is stunned. Ismatullah has figured out Bruno's insidious plan and, keeping his composure, holds out his hand to Bruno.
Bruno holds out his own in return. There is a handshake.
77. INT. HOSPITAL — MIDNIGHT.
A limping Otto and Bruno, helping to carry Ismatullah's gifts, sneaking on tiptoe so as not to cause unnecessary noise, are walking along the hospital corridor to the ward.
At the staff lounge, he suddenly comes face to face with Dr. Akhmadzai, who is on duty at night. Bruno froze for a moment, immediately came to his senses.
BRUNO
(softly)
Frau Ahmadzai, how glad I am to see you! Since our previous meeting, I have been reproaching myself for not asking your name. I want to fix this error.
(smiled)
Seeta accepted Bruno's words without emotion.
SEETA
My name is Seeta!
BRUNO
A beautiful name — Seeta!
Are your parents from Kunduz?
SEETA
Yes, from Imam Sahib, a county north of Kunduz.
BRUNO
Are you a Tajik yourself?
SEETA
I am a Pashtun of the Gilzai tribe.
Our roots are from the southeast - Paktia.
The ancestors moved to Kunduz during the time of Emir Amanullah Khan in 1925. Then there was a state policy of Pashtunization of the northern territories. The peoples of the north — Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras — moved to the south, southeast — to Kandahar, Ghazni, Jalalabad, the places of traditional residence of the Pashtun tribes, and the Gilzai, Karlani Pashtuns — to the northeast to Katagan.
BRUNO
And how did you end up in Germany?
SEETA
In 1980, after the entry of Soviet troops, my parents and my young older brothers emigrated to Germany, Munich, where I was born years later.
Bruno is happy about the conversation that has started. The hubbub in the corridor interferes with communication. Bruno, wanting to question Seeta, barely grabs her by the elbow, dragging her aside. Seeta pulls out her hand, looks accusingly.
SEETA
It's not customary in Afghanistan!
This is not Germany!
BRUNO
(apologetically)
Excuse me, Seeta!
SEETA
(omitting the incident, continues)
After school, I graduated from the Medical Faculty of the University of Munich. In 2008, after passing an interview, I got a job at the international humanitarian mission MSF "Doctors without Borders".
That's all I'm ready to tell you about myself right now.
(smiles)
And now I have to go.
Seeta goes to one of the wards.
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN".
78. EXT. AFGHANISTAN, CARAVANSERAI — DAY.
The city square of the "Kunduz Circle" is crowded, horses are tied to poles at the entrance.
TITLE: Kunduz. Caravanserai, 1929.
There is a gathering of elders, clergy, officials. Local elders sit on long benches in the first row. Next to the elders are large Uzbek, Turkmen kurbashi – Ibrahim bek, Ishan-Khalifa Kyzyl-ayak, Mahmud-bek, Utan-bek, and others.
There are armed people behind kurbashi – numerous guards, all in a turban, in dressing gowns, with sabers and rifles.
Vis-a–vis dignitaries are a crowd of people - all men, no women.
From the mouth of the HERALD, elderly, gray-bearded Afghan in an expensive robe and a black turban, an appeal sounds.
HERALD
People of Afghanistan! The Kafirs have set dirty feet on our holy land, captured Balkh, Kelif, Deydadi, Mazar-I-Sharif, and Tashkurgan, and are now heading for Kabul. All for holy jihad! To burn kafirs in hell!
79. INT. A LARGE ROOM. ORIENTAL INTERIOR WITH CARPETS — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. THE HEADQUARTERS OF NAIBUL-HUKUM, GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF KATAGAN-BADAKHSHAN PROVINCE.
A nobleman, the Governor-General of the Katagano-Badakhshan province of AL-KHUKOM, is sitting on a large cot, drinking tea, thinking about something. The ADJUTANT enters the room, reports.
ADJUTANT
Your Highness, kurbashi Ibrahim Bek has arrived.
NAIBUL-KHUKUM
(he climbs off the cot)
Let him in!
Ibrahim Bek proudly enters the hall, handing over a saber and a revolver with a holster to the adjutant at the entrance.
IBRAHIM BEK
AsSalamu Alaikum!
(politely nodded his head)
NAIBUL-KHUKUM
Alaikum Salam, dear Ibrahim Bek!
(ingratiatingly)
Yesterday your squad was defeated by the Red Army.
I am so sorry.
IBRAHIM BEK
(nodded his head, accepting sympathy)
I lost most of my people.
(with excitement, courteously)
I do not quite understand, dear Naibul-Khukum, how it happened that a detachment of the Red Army crossed the state border of the Emirate without meeting a worthy rebuff from the Afghan government forces?! Why are my soldiers carrying out the mission to protect Afghan sovereignty?!
NAIBUL-KHUKUM
Dear Ibrahim Bek!
I have to remind you: when the Red Army smashed your detachments and drove them from their homes, you found salvation here, beyond the Amu Darya.
We have accepted your families, given you shelter, endowed you with land. Afghanistan is now your land!
It's time to repay the kindness! Stand up for protection!
IBRAHIM BEK
(reducing the fervor)
With all my desire, my army is not able to resist the Red Army! The forces and logistics are incomparable.
Naibul-Khukum calmly listens to Ibrahim bek, hands him a dispatch with the royal coat of arms.
NAIBUL-KHUKUM
(in a calm tone)
This is a letter from Kabul.
(slowly)
His Holiness the Emir demands that you, dear Ibrahim Bek and other leaders of the Basmachia in northern Afghanistan, immediately send your detachments against the Kafirs!
Otherwise, you and other kurbashi should lay down all the weapons available to your detachments and, obeying the will of the Holy Emir, leave Afghanistan with your families!
IBRAHIM BEK
(with dignity)
Our weapons are not directed against Afghanistan! It's ours, we got it in battle! And while we're alive, we won't give it to anyone!
Naibul-Khukum is not satisfied with Ibrahim bek's answer, he shook his head in bewilderment.
Irritated by the pressure of Naibul-Hukum, Ibrahim bek stops the conversation, picks up his abandoned weapon at the entrance, jumps on his horse and retreats.
80. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — DAY.
Oberst Jung, Bruno, and a group of officers are present in the office. Everyone is sitting at a large table, at the head of the table is Oberst Jung.
OBERST JUNG
Intelligence channels reported that on the night of October 18-19, a meeting of the Taliban leadership will be held in the Gundai village of Chahar-dara district of Kunduz province under the chairmanship of Abdul Rahman. The goal is to establish cooperation between the Taliban during the attack on the TF-47 garrison.
(to Bruno)
Your group, Ober- Lieutenant, will have an urgent flight by NHI NH90 helicopters to the area of operation near the village of Gundai. Hanging over the building where the Taliban leaders are scheduled to meet, destroy them with the fire of onboard machine guns.
81. EXT. GUNDAI VILLAGE — NIGHT. DARKNESS.
TITLE: GUNDAI VILLAGE, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
A special operation is underway. Active pockets of Taliban resistance are suppressed on the ground from NHI NH90 helicopters hovering in the air. The group of Thevs begins to disembark from helicopters and surrounds the building where the Taliban are entrenched, continuing the fight on the ground.
During the active confrontation, the special forces demoralize the Taliban. Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Rahman and a number of other Taliban commanders come out with their hands up, surrendering.
The group of Thevs escorts the Taliban into a helicopter, sends them to the TF-47 base in Kunduz.
82. EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
Otto limps around the hospital garden along the benches, talking on a mobile phone with the EDITOR of "DER SPIEGEL" from Hamburg.
EDITOR (V.O.)
(male voice)
Otto, we strongly recommend that you return to Germany for treatment!
OTTO
(adamantly)
Thank you for your concern.
The wound is already healing, I am able to work fully.
We will be in touch, goodbye!
EDITOR (V.O.)
Goodbye!
Otto ended the conversation.
There is a loud sound, two attack helicopters with the image of the national flag of Afghanistan fly low over the ground. Seconds later came the rumble of heavy explosions.
83. INT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
Otto, with a quick limping step, leaning on a cane, follows to the middle of the hospital corridor, where the desk of the nurse on duty is located.
The phones rang, there was a commotion. The medical staff on duty runs along the hospital corridor to the exit, loads into ambulances, with loud sirens turned on, hurriedly leave for a call.
Otto goes to the working TV in the hospital corridor, starts watching the news. In local TV news with English titles, the ANNOUNCER reports.
ANNOUNCER (V.O.)
At 11.00 a.m., the Afghan military aviation, supported by ISAF forces, carried out an airstrike on the village of Daftani in Dasht-e-Archi county, northeast of the city of Kunduz. At the time of the airstrike, celebrations were held at the Daftani Madrasah following the results of the competition of Koran reciters — Hafiz children from 6 to 13 years old. At the time diplomas and gifts were being awarded.
84. EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
OTTO is standing at the hospital entrance, leaning on a cane. He looks at the road.
Yahya Mukhadi drives up to the hospital. Otto gets into a taxi. The taxi is leaving.
85. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Yakub Khan, standing at the entrance to the teahouse, makes excuses to Otto.
YAKUB KHAN
(to Otto)
Don't get me wrong, in many ways I condemn the policies and actions of the Taliban and I don't agree with the Honorable Shamsutdin in everything. That's why I stay away from them. I would also recommend you to take into account that during the release of hostages in the village of Khalazai, among whom were you, Mr. Otto, Shamsutdin's people were killed. And he himself, it is important to note, miraculously survived. Therefore, they are unlikely to be happy to see you alive.
OTTO
(to Yakub Khan)
And you explain that I am a journalist!
My job is collecting authentic material. I only ask you to allow me to the local population of the village of Daftani, to the victims who lost their children.
YAKUB KHAN
(pessimistically)
OK, I'll try.
Otto walked with Yahya Mukhadi deep into the teahouse, took the usual cot, made an order. Out of the corner of his eye, he watches Yakub Khan remaining at the entrance. Yakub Khan is calling on the phone to arrange a meeting with someone. Otto watches the visitors who come into the teahouse, at the same time, together with Yahya, slowly eats lamb kebab, flatbread, and drinks tea.
A gray-bearded man HALFUTDIN of about fifty in a blue perukhan and a light turban enteres Yakub Khan's teahouse. Yakub Khan leads the man to the cot where Otto and Yahya are sitting, points with his palm at the man.
YAKUB KHAN
This is the one you need.
Otto and Yahya politely get off the couch, invite the guest to sit down together. Yakub Khan calls Zalmai, orders tea for the guest, returns to the entrance himself. The guest silently takes off his shoes, climbs onto the cot, sits down in a corner.
OTTO
I am Otto Greenberg, a reporter for the German magazine Der Spiegel.
(nodding at the translator Yahya Muhadi)
This is my translator Yahya Muhadi.
His brother, Sultan Mukhadi, one of the hostages who died during the liberation in the village of Khalazai.
Yahya translates Otto's speech without hesitation. The guest-parliamentarian nods his head, putting his palm to his heart, expresses his condolences to Yahya.
HALFUTDIN
(looking at Otto, coldly)
I am Halfutdin. What do you want?!
OTTO
I ask to be admitted to the village of Daftani so that I can interview local residents, and if possible, the families of the victims.
HALFUTDIN
(with a pause)
Good!
(looks piercingly)
We will guide you to Daftani and are ready to ensure your safety. In return, we must receive truthful coverage of this outrage, without distortion. Exactly as it is.
OTTO
I promise you to shoot a report on photo and video cameras and send it to the editorial office along with the written material.
This will complicate the falsification attempt.
HALFUTDIN
Tomorrow at dawn at 5.00 on the southern outskirts of Daftani.
OTTO
(excited)
Agreed!
Otto is pleased, climbs off the couch with Yahya, warmly thanks Yakub Khan for the meeting. At the exit of the teahouse, Otto claps in a handshake, leaving Yakub Khan a few hundred euros. Zalmai accompanies Otto and Yahya Mukhadi, calls a taxi. Otto and Yahya Muhadi get into a taxi that has arrived, goes to the MSF hospital.
86. EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY
Otto takes a taxi to the entrance to the courtyard of the MSF hospital. The courtyard is filled with ambulances and more than a hundred Afghans. Male hubbub is heard, female sobs. The MSF hospital is completely filled with children wounded in the village of Daftani.
87. EXT. DAFTANI VILLAGE — FLASHES OF DAWN.
TITLE: DAFTANI VILLAGE, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
Early hour. A taxi pulls up to the vacant lot in front of Daftani with Otto and Yahya Mukhadi in it. Halfutdin is waiting on the spot. Otto and Yahya approach, Halfutdin coldly greets, looks sharply into Otto's eyes.
HALFUTDIN
Do you confirm the fulfillment of our requirements?!
Muhadi translates.
OTTO
(firmly)
I confirm!
Halfutdin leads Otto, Yahya through the narrow streets of Daftani. They approach the building of the village mosque. Its facade is riddled with a thousand fragments of bombs, from the edge you can see the sagging frame of the tent erected for the festivities, the roof torn off by the explosion, heaps of pairs of children's shoes left behind.
Otto takes the camera out of the bag, sets the current time, starts shooting. The place of celebrations, where the children were, is abundantly covered with blood. Scattered around are scraps of clothing fabrics, small fragments of human bodies. Otto leads the camera smoothly, misses nothing.
A large group of men gathered at the Daftani Mosque, passionately discussing yesterday's tragedy. Halfutdin brings Otto and Yahya, covers his face with a piece of turban against the background of the crowd, leaves only his eyes, points his thumb at himself, orders Otto to take himself off first in the report.
HALFUTDIN
(heartfelt)
Corrupt government officials said that the Afghan Air Force carried out a targeted air strike on the village of Daftani in Kunduz province, destroying a Taliban training center and thirty of its militants. Among those killed, Taliban leader Mullah Biryani, who allegedly arrived from the Quetta Shura, and nine field commanders. It was also said that none of the civilians were injured in the airstrike. Now you will see for yourself that there was no training center in Daftani, but there was a mass murder of children.
Halfutdin has finished, steps aside, makes way for an interview with a resident of Daftani, a lanky dehkan MOHAMMAD ISHAN in a brown perukhan, beige pakol.
MOHAMMAD ISHAN
When helicopters appeared in the sky, the children got scared and started shouting: "They will drop bombs on us! They will drop bombs on us!", and the adults calmed them down. "No, that's not going to happen! Don't be afraid!"
However, it happened!
(emotionally, wiping his tears with the sleeves of perukhan)
More than 200 children attended the ceremony. They were 11-12 years old, a little older, even younger.
I was lucky, I was standing a little further away, and I miraculously survived. It's better, instead of children, all the adults who were on the holiday died!
A bony dehkan HADJI GHULAM holds a gray donkey with fascines by the bridle – with a tremor in his voice, sorrow in his eyes.
HADJI GHULAM
They do not spare us or our children! O Allah, why do we have this grief?!
Halfutdin leads Otto and Yahya through the narrow streets of Daftani past the dwellings, women's wailing, sobbing, crying can be heard from the courtyards. Parents, relatives say goodbye to the dead children before taking the bodies to the cemetery.
They enter the courtyards, Halfutdin raises his hand, makes it clear to the residents of Daftani that kafirs (infidels, not Muslims) Otto and Yahya are under his protection. Otto is serene, continues to shoot everything that appears on camera.
A BLACKSMITH NAMED ABDUL KHALID
(sitting by his son's body)
My son was only thirteen years old!
(wipes tears from his eyes with cracked, crooked fingers)
He learned the Koran by heart and was invited to the awards.
On this day, he dressed festively,
was especially happy.
AFGHAN WOMAN DRESSED IN A BURGUNDY BURQA
(moaning, sobbing)
My two sons have memorized the Quran. Finally, the long-awaited day of their awarding with diplomas, participation in the ceremony of tying the turban came.
The sons wanted it so much. The day before they brought home two flower wreaths, they asked me to put them on them on my return from the celebrations. I went out to meet them on the street, holding in my hands the wreaths they had prepared, I was waiting, but they were still not there. Suddenly two helicopters flew low in the sky, and I heard four loud explosions, followed by screams.
A little while later, their father returned, carrying the bodies of our two sons on his shoulders. When he entered the house, he told me: "Our sons learned the book of the Almighty by heart and immediately went to meet him."
HALFUTDIN
(covering his face with a piece of turban — on camera)
Among those killed in the airstrike in Daftani, 101 children were killed, more than 100 were injured.
37 children will be buried today in Daftani. The bodies of children from other villages have already been taken by their parents for burial in other places. I draw everyone's attention!
(raised his index finger)
There were no Taliban fighters among the dead and wounded in the airstrike in Daftani, but only civilians.
Otto and Yahya return by taxi from Daftani, they are depressed.
EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN".
88. EXT. AFGHANISTAN, ALIABAD — DAY.
TITLE: ALIABAD. KUNDUZ PROVINCE, 1930.
In the village, a group of military Afghan government troops and tribal formations with sabers and rifles break into the homes of local Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmens, Hazaras. They rob, pillage, harshly push back the owners with weapons, take away their cattle, take away food, ignite homes.
89. EXT. AFGHANISTAN, KHANABAD — DAY.
TITLE: KHANABAD. KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
The city square is filled with people. There is a long pedestal in the center. On the pedestal is a row of a dozen pillars with gallows. A decapitation block is equipped on the side of the gallows.
The government is carrying out a public execution of 35 captured soldiers of kurbashi Ibrahim bek, their hands are tied behind their backs, they are brought in turn, executed. A cruel sight. With each execution – hanging, beheading, a hubbub grows in the crowd.
90. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — DAY.
In the office of Oberst Jung, Oberst himself and Ober lieutenant Zimmer.
Oberst is sitting at the table; Zimmer is submitting documents for signature.
The phone rings, Oberst Jung picks up the phone. Brigadier General Markus Neumann is on the return line.
OBERST JUNG
(ahead with a greeting)
Hello, Mr. Brigadier General.
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
Hello, Oberst!
Tell me, which of the German journalists are hanging around there at the moment?
(pause)
Otto Kruger from "Der Spiegel", is there?!
OBERST JUNG
(anticipating the problem)
Otto Greenberg!
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
Greenberg! Did we rescue him from captivity?!
OBERST JUNG
That's right, Mr. Brigadier General, him!
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
His article in "Der Spiegel" about the airstrike in Daftani made a lot of noise. In the Bundestag, ISAF, Pentagon, Bundeswehr — everyone is very nervous. He was wounded, wasn't he, as I recall?
OBERST JUNG
That's right, Mr. Brigadier General, he was!
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
And what is he still doing there?!
OBERST JUNG
He is being treated at the MSF hospital, Mr. Brigadier General.
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
(raising his tone)
So send him to hell to Germany!
OBERST JUNG
I can't, Mr. Brigadier General. MSF Hospital is an international civilian institution. I'm not Greenberg's boss. He has his own management in Hamburg. In general, I suggest we think about whether we should quarrel with Der Spiegel? Journalists are scandalous people, it's better not to fight with them. They will begin to walk on our heels, sniffing out fried things, destroying the network of agents built up over the years.
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
(already calmly)
Oh well. Then block his access to the places of incidents, contacts with the local population when collecting malicious information.
OBERST JUNG
It's impossible, Mr. Brigadier General. Unfortunately, they have their own sources of information, and they are free to move.
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
(with annoyance)
Unfortunately! But we release them from captivity, and often by sacrificing our people!
OBERST JUNG
I'll think about it, I'll try to do something, Mr. Brigadier General.
MARKUS NEUMANN (V.O.)
All right, Oberst! Keep me posted.
Oberst Jung hung up, immediately called the assistant.
OBERST JUNG
Urgently call Ober-lieutenant Thevs to me.
There was a knock-on Jung's office.
BRUNO
Mr. Oberst! Ober-lieutenant Thevs has arrived by your order!
Oberst Jung comes out from behind a large table, offers to sit down on a paired leather chair by the coffee table with a gesture of his hand.
Ober lieutenant Zimmer is present at the conversation between Oberst Jung and Bruno.
OBERST JUNG
Ober-lieutenant, as far as I know, you are in contact with reporter Otto Greenberg.
BRUNO
That's right, Mr. Oberst, I support it!
OBERST JUNG
(with a squint)
And where is Greenberg at the moment?
BRUNO
Still recovering at MSF hospital.
OBERST JUNG
(almost friendly)
This Greenberg, with his material about the airstrike in Daftani, raised a big stir in society. The big bosses called from Calv, they are extremely indignant at the publication of his article in Der Spiegel.
(pretentiously)
I consider it necessary for you, Ober-lieutenant, to go to the hospital to Greenberg right now and, as he risked his own and the lives of his subordinates - in the name of his salvation, insist on an immediate departure to Germany.
BRUNO
(puzzled)
Yes, Mr. Oberst!
91. INT. HOSPITAL. OTTO'S WARD — DAY.
Hospital ward, a conversation between Bruno and Otto.
BRUNO
(complacently)
Otto! We managed to become friends with you. I sincerely don't want to spoil the relationship with you, but they expect a result from me.
Seeta looked into the ward, she looked tired and depressed.
BRUNO
(happily jumps up from his seat)
Seeta!
OTTO
(brightening up)
Frau Akhmadzai! How convenient!
Do you have a private room where the three of us could retire for a while?
Bruno is discouraged. Seeta thought about it, remembered something, went to get the keys of the senior nurse's room.
OTTO
(nodding at the bedside table)
Bruno, please take my video camera in the nightstand.
92. INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR— DAY.
Bruno and Otto leave the ward, walk through the throng of the hospital corridor filled with many beds with wounded children from the village of Daftani, their relatives.
They pass on, they see a young Afghan woman with a blue burqa thrown back, standing at the door to the operating room. A European doctor comes out to the Afghan woman, removes the mask, informs her through the transfer of an Afghan nurse that her son has died. The silence is broken by the wail of the unhappy mother, which turned into a heart-rending sob.
Dumbfounded, Otto and Bruno approached the head nurse's room. Seeta is already in place, opens the room, turns on the light.
93. INT. HOSPITAL SENIOR NURSE'S ROOM — DAY.
Otto, Bruno and Seeta enter the head nurse's room.
OTTO
(noticing that Seeta is about to leave)
Seeta, please stay for a while, please.
Otto pulls up a chair and offers Seeta a seat. Seeta prefers not to sit down, looks at the clock.
SEETA
Okay, but not for long!
Otto takes the video camera from Bruno's hands, puts it on the table, turns it on. On a small screen with the shooting date continuously flashing in the lower corner, the village of Daftani appears, the facade of a local mosque damaged by an explosion, the lopsided construction of a festive tent with a torn roof, a blood-soaked playground with a large number of pairs of children's shoes left in place after the tragedy, small fragments of human bodies.
Interviews of local residents at the mosque, parents sitting by the bodies of their dead children begin. Otto doesn't comment on anything. Bruno doesn't take his eyes off the screen. Seeta stands with her back against the wall, silently wiping her tears.
OTTO
(loudly)
Bruno! The ISAF coalition prefers to hide this inhuman crime, everything is clear with them!
And what do you personally think about the cynical airstrike?!
Do you also think that such crimes are permissible in the XXI century?! What is the difference between ISAF and the fascists of the Third Reich, who wiped out thousands of cities and villages in your Homeland of the USSR, exterminated 30 million people, branded the German people with curses and eternal guilt before humanity?!
Bruno is silent, shocked, dejected, depressed.
BRUNO
Otto, how long are you planning to stay in Kunduz? I see a real threat to your life, you should seriously think about personal safety. Scandalous journalistic activity displeases both the ISAF and the Afghan government. Eliminating you by the hands of ISAF specialists or bribed Taliban is an easily doable task.
OTTO
(sincerely)
I have to finish collecting material about the presence of Soviet troops here. I think it will take a month.
BRUNO
(with pessimism)
It is hard to believe in your willingness to leave Afghanistan.
94. EXT. THE GARDEN OF THE HOSPITAL - IT'S GETTING DARK.
Bruno and Seeta are sitting on a shady bench in the depths of the hospital garden, tenderly looking at each other, silent.
SEETA
(breaks the silence)
Bruno, were you born in the Soviet Union?
BRUNO
(with surprise)
Yes.
(pause)
I was born in Kazakhstan, in Dzhambul. My ancestors came from Germany to Russia in 1762.
SEETA
(with sympathy)
Is it true that your father died in Afghanistan?
(pause)
Mr. Greenberg informed me about this.
BRUNO
Really!
SEETA
And where did this happen?
BRUNO
Here nearby, in the mountains of Khost Wa Firing.
SEETA
(with empathy)
I'm sorry, Bruno!
(changing the subject, smiling)
I imagine the astonished faces of my relatives who found out about the courtship of Shuravi's son.
BRUNO
(with a smile)
Will it make things worse after I'm an ISAF serviceman?
SEETA
You know, the attitude of Afghans to Shuravi is different, ambiguous.
Yes, the war in the 1980s greatly spoiled it. But there were a lot of good things. My parents tell me that the Soviet Union, before the war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, built factories, factories, factories, a large hydroelectric power plant "Naglu", founded a Polytechnic institute in Kabul, laid a tunnel on Salang.
BRUNO
(with a smile)
So I still have facilitating circumstances?!
(pause)
Bruno takes Seeta's palms in his overworked hands with protruding veins, looks intently into her eyes. Seeta, feels awkward, lowered her gaze, took her hands away, pays attention to the time of Bruno's watch.
SEETA
(anxiously)
Oh, it's time for me to run!
Bruno escorts Seeta to the door of the hospital, she disappears into the crowd of the corridor.
95. INT. OFFICE SPACE — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. TF-47 HEADQUARTERS.
Bruno passes by the window of the TF-47 duty headquarters, goes to the office of Oberst Jung, the DUTY OFFICER calls out to him.
DUTY OFFICER
Ober-lieutenant, Oberst Jung is not in place. In the morning, his son Alfred, a cadet at the Munich Military Medical Academy, came to see him.
Bruno is delighted with the postponement of the report on sending Otto to Germany.
BRUNO
(with joy)
At least one good news!
96. INT. BRUNO'S ROOM — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno enters his room, sits down at the table, takes out the book "The Great Game in Afghanistan" from the nightstand, starts reading.
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN".
97. EXT. THE OUTSKIRTS OF ALIABAD — EVENING. DARKNESS. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: THE OUTSKIRTS OF ALIABAD. THE HQ OF KURBASHI IBRAHIM BEK, 1930.
A large hearth is burning, a crowd of armed Basmachi is sitting around, looking at the fire, drinking tea from bowls. In the center, the leaders of the Uzbek and Turkmen Basmatism, kurbashi Ibrahim Bek and ISHAN Khalifa Kyzyl-ayak, are sitting and talking.
IBRAHIM BEK
(bitterly)
The assistance of Central Asian emigration and local tribesmen has been extremely reduced.
The people are exhausted, people are tired of the war.
Government troops break into houses, empty food supplies, rob, steal cattle, leave people without means of livelihood, burn homes. My detachments are drained of blood, they continue to suffer irreparable losses.
Most of the friendly detachments have been disarmed, some have transferred to the service of the emir.
Those who refuse to lay down their arms are exterminated and executed. In just a month, I lost 1300 warriors killed. The emir demands to witness to him the fullness of the royal authority, to dissolve my army of one and a half thousand, leaving only 200 soldiers.
ISHAN KHALIFA
(with empathy)
It is already obvious that it is no longer possible to stay in Afghanistan! We have to leave! You just have to choose – to Iran or beyond the Amu Darya.
(pause)
If your proposal to join forces oppose the Soviets is still in force, I confirm my readiness.
IBRAHIM BEK
The best direction for us is the Soviet territory. Wherever we go, we are required to hand over our weapons everywhere.
In the worst case, there, in our native places, we will hand over weapons to the Soviet government…
Let the Bolsheviks kill us rather than the Afghans!
98. EXT. RUSSIA. PARK-GARDEN — DAY.
TITLE: MOSCOW REGION, ZUBALOVO-4, GOVERNMENT COTTAGE OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE CPSU STALIN I.V.
General Secretary Stalin I.V. in a military cap, military tunic, boots, covered with a plaid sits on a bench and enthusiastically feeds a flock of pigeons. He takes millet from a paper bag and throws it to the pigeons.
At the edge of the bench, shielding Stalin I.V. from the rain with a black umbrella, stands a young slender captain of the NKVD.
In front of Stalin I.V. stands an NKVD GENERAL in uniform, cap, round glasses with a black "brush" mustache, reading a report to Stalin I.V.
NKVD GENERAL
In the north of Afghanistan, the government forces of Emir Nadir Shah defeated the detachments of kurbashi Ibrahim bek. Ousted by the Red Army beyond the Amu Darya, Ibrahim bek deployed dozens of rear bases in Afghanistan. He gathered and armed a group of 20,000 Basmachi from emigrants and the local population. For ten years, Ibrahim bek, who was not controlled by Kabul, regularly carried out armed attacks on the Soviet territory of the republics of Central Asia, exterminated representatives of the legitimate authorities, terrorized the local population, destroyed food supplies, stole cattle, burned houses.
STALIN I.V.
(without emotion)
Finally, the Afghan leadership realized that we have the same interests in eliminating the Basmachia. Sorry for the time spent.
(pause)
Give Emir Nadir Shah my fervent greetings and best wishes!
NKVD GENERAL
It will be done, Comrade Stalin!
TITLE: DURING THE ARMED ATTACK ON THE USSR IN JUNE 1931, IBRAHIM BEK AND MEMBERS OF HIS SQUAD WOULD BE CAPTURED BY RED ARMY SOLDIERS AND SHOT BY A MILITARY TRIBUNAL.
Stalin continues to feed the pigeons.
99. EXT. TF-47 GARRISON — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. TF-47 GARRISON.
The Taliban from the nearest village are constantly monitoring the TF-47 garrison with binoculars, record the departure from the base of the ATF-DINGO-2 armored personnel carrier with Alfred Jung and 2 special forces accompanying him, set up surveillance on an ISUZU pickup truck, use radio stations.
100. EXT. AFGHANISTAN HIGHWAY — DAY.
The ATF-DINGO-2 armored personnel carrier from the TF-47 garrison is heading along the highway to Kunduz, an ISUZU pickup truck with the Taliban is hanging on its tail.
An armored personnel carrier with a junior Jung and accompanying commandos drives into the "Kunduz circle", stopps. Junior Jung goes out to buy souvenirs.
A group of Taliban is raiding the accompanying commandos and Junior Jung from 2 sides. The Taliban shoot the commandos, push Junior Jung into an inconspicuous car, take him away in an unknown direction.
101. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. TF-47 HEADQUARTERS.
Oberst Georg Jung in despair, did not sleep at night waiting for at least some news about his son. There's a knock on the Oberst's office.
BRUNO
May I come in, Mr. Oberst?
OBERST JUNG
(with longing)
Come in, Ober-lieutenant.
BRUNO
Mr. Oberst, do you remember the scandalous article about the airstrike on Daftani in "Der Spiegel", which caused an international outcry?
OBERST JUNG
I remember how not to remember.
BRUNO
(excitedly)
So, I think it was impossible for reporter Otto Greenberg to collect that material without the help of the Taliban.
I am more than sure that he has contacts with the Taliban.
OBERST JUNG
(cheering up)
Think right, Ober-lieutenant!
This card in the deck may be useful to us.
BRUNO
(inspired)
May I go to the MSF hospital and persuade Greenberg to use these contacts to find your son?
OBERST JUNG
Of course, Ober-lieutenant!
I will be sincerely grateful to you!
102. EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY
Bruno enters the hospital dining room; Otto is sitting at a meal.
BRUNO
(he sits down at Otto's table)
Yesterday in Kunduz the Taliban shot two of our special forces and captured Oberst Jung's son, Alfred.
OTTO
(placidly)
I heard, an unpleasant story.
BRUNO
Otto, after the airstrike on Daftani, did you go to the place and did a voluminous report?!
OTTO
(with pathos)
I'm a journalist, this is my job!
(pause)
And what?!
BRUNO
Reporting was impossible without the assistance of the Taliban, right?!
Bruno moves closer to Otto, begins to speak more quietly.
BRUNO
Who, if not the Taliban, took you to the village, provided security, allowed you to film everything?
OTTO
Well, let's say.
BRUNO
I ask you, Otto: raise your contacts, find out about the location of the younger Jung and the conditions of his release.
OTTO
(without pause)
I won't do it!
(with negative)
Oberst Jung is responsible for the deaths of more than a hundred Afghan civilians, I'm not even talking about ordinary Taliban.
Bruno, upset by Otto's refusal, leans back in his chair, half-turned, looks out the window in despair.
BRUNO
(excitedly)
By the way, the operation to free you in Halazai was conducted under the command of Jung. Two of our fighters died in it.
OTTO
(with a pause, reluctantly)
OK, I'll try. I warn you right away, this is unlikely!
BRUNO
(delighted)
Thank you, Otto! I was sure that you would not remain indifferent. While you're getting ready, I'll run over to Seeta and wait for you at the exit in 15 minutes.
In euphoria, Bruno leaves the dining room, goes to look for Seeta.
103. INT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
Bruno walks up to the female doctors' lounge and, without knocking, pushes the unlocked door forward.
At this time, in the room, Seeta changes into medical uniforms from everyday clothes — she takes off her skirt, blouse, and bra.
At the moment of Bruno's entrance, Seeta turns out to be naked, having managed to turn her back. Shouting "You can't!", Seeta covers her chest with her hands.
Bruno plays with his feelings and, omitting Seeta's words, rushes to her. Seeta stops Bruno with an outstretched hand, shuts off the screen.
SEETA
Quiet! Quiet, young man! Keep yourself in control.
(smiles)
BRUNO
(aggressively)
Seeta, let me breathe by you! I can't live without you anymore!
SEETA
(from behind the screen)
I believe it willingly.
(smiling)
But the immutable condition is still the observance of our ancestral traditions, which do not allow intimacy before entering into the marriage bond.
(pause)
Are you ready for this, Bruno?
Seeta listens behind the screen, looks away, smiles.
Endlessly happy, Bruno emotionally throws up his hands.
Seeta, in a medical uniform, comes out from behind the screen.
Bruno beams with happiness, takes Seeta by the waist, lifts her high up. Seeta looks down at Bruno.
SEETA
A letter came from relatives in Munich. My father allowed me to date the German Bruno.
(smiles)
BRUNO
How happy I am Sita; how happy I am!
Bruno remembers something with annoyance, looks at his watch.
BRUNO
I have to run now. But when I get back, you'll tell me all the details, okay?!
Bruno is leaving.
104. INT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
Otto is dressed in civilian clothes, standing at the exit of the MSF Emergency Room, calling the interpreter Yahya Muhadi.
OTTO
Yahya, go urgently to Yakub Khan's teahouse! Meet me at the entrance.
105. INT. TAXI — DAY.
Otto and Bruno are sitting in the back of a taxi, driving through Kunduz.
BRUNO
(with joy)
Otto! I have great news!
OTTO
(serene)
What great news can there be right now!
BRUNO
(happily)
On the personal front, Seeta's parents are ready to give her to me as a wife.
This is unthinkable, Otto!
OTTO
(with humor)
Really unthinkable!
This is a rare piece of luck for a German officer from the ISAF!
BRUNO
(without taking offense, with a positive attitude)
I will invite Seeta to celebrate the wedding in two cities – Freiburg and Munich.
(pause)
Otto, give me a vow that you will definitely be present!
Also promise to come with me to Russia and find his friends together at the addresses in his father's notebook.
OTTO
(smiles)
I promise!
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN".
106. INT. THE HOUSE OF A WEALTHY AFGHAN — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: KUNDUZ, SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS, SEPTEMBER 1941
The house of a wealthy Afghan. A meeting of employees of the German diplomatic mission in Kabul (Abwehr residents) Karl RASMUS and Dietrich WITZEL with Uzbek kurbashi Mahmud-BEK is taking place.
WITZEL
(grandiloquently)
Dear Mahmoud Bek, We appreciate your long-term persistent struggle with the Soviet government, and the presence of your own large detachment and authority among the kurbashi of the Uzbek and Turkmen Basmachia.
However, your extensive network of agents in the republics of Central Asia and northern Afghanistan is more important to us. Three months have already passed since the approval of you at the head of the "Union" organization in September 1941.
If you remember, at our previous meeting we outlined to you a list of the main tasks of the 1st stage of the Union's activity?
There were four of them.
Expansion of the agent network in the southern regions of the republics of Central Asia — the Turkmen, Tajik and Uzbek SSR.
The establishment of the exact number of Basmachi in northern Afghanistan on a national basis, the places of their concentration on both sides of the Amu Darya, the names of influential Kurbashi.
Creation of a stronghold of German sabotage
groups near Kunduz for transfer to the USSR.
Preparation of sabotage groups from among the Basmachi.
It is also not superfluous to recall that you have received a tranche of 40 thousand Afghani for these purposes.
(smiles)
And that in addition to us, you successfully provide intelligence services of our respected axis allies — Italy, Japan and have made a solid fortune on this.
Mahmud bek calmly listened to the patrons and starts from afar in oriental.
MAHMOUD BEK
The German attack on the USSR in the emigrant environment in the north of Afghanistan and in the capital Kabul was met with deep enthusiasm.
The Mujahideen, all as one, are ready to stand up for the Amu Darya against the Red Army at the call of their hearts in order to step into their native firmament and return our shrines – Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva, Ferghana!
With regard to the expansion of the agent network and the funds I received for this: the base of our agents in 3 Central Asian republics has increased significantly.
In addition to the local dehkans, it included figures of the executive, state power of the Soviets, military personnel from the national formations of the Central Asian military district of the Red Army of various levels.
Regarding my contacts with the Axis intelligence services: as far as I know, this August, the German Ambassador in Kabul, Hans Pilger, not without your participation, dear Gentlemen Witzel-Rasmus, organized a meeting of the Japanese attorney Katsubi with the Bukhara Emir Seyid Alim Khan! Outwardly observing the commitment to King Zahir Shah, his policy of neutrality, Emir Seyid Alim Khan at this meeting evaded the proposed cooperation.
However, intelligence agents from Japan, Italy, and Turkey soon established cooperation with his inner circle, agreed on monetary and military assistance.
Their personalities are well known.
I think it is useful to recall that at the stage of the "Union" organization, I was approved by the commander-in-chief of the Basmach formations in Afghanistan.
There is also an agreement that assistance to the Basmachs will be carried out entirely through me.
But the precedent with the Emir of Bukhara suggests the opposite.
My plans are transparent and known to everyone — the seizure of the territories of the Emirate of Bukhara and the Khanate of Khiva, the return of the deposed rulers to their thrones!
Now about the report of funds for the creation of a strong point in Kunduz for the sabotage forces of the Third Reich: Instead of one, I created two.
The second one is in Baglan. Hamra Gul-bek, a former officer of the Afghan army under my control, has been temporarily appointed as their head until your approval.
Now about the true number of Basma formations in the north of Afghanistan. Based on the data collected from Kurbashi on ten Afghan cities and their districts, she compiled 22.300 Basmachi, only 15 thousand of them are properly armed.
Rasmus' question interrupts Mahmud-bek
RASMUS
Turkmen kurbashi Ishan Khalifa Kyzyl-ayak, in a letter to Afghan Prime Minister Mohammad Hashim Khan in August of this year, cited a different figure, it differs significantly from yours. Kyzyl-mayak writes about the readiness to put a 40-thousandth group of Turkmens alone under arms.
The same amount, according to him, will flow in case we supply additional weapons and funds.
Kyzyl-ayak, according to our data, has an army not exceeding 11 thousand Basmachi. Wanting to get more help, is he deliberately overestimating the figure by 4 times?
MAHMOUD BEK
(lamenting)
This is one of the pernicious consequences of my unity of command destroyed by you!
The total number of Turkmen formations based on the left bank of the Amu Darya doubled from the beginning of 1939 to the autumn of 1941.
It should be taken into account that the Turkmen emigration is the most numerous, that's why it has large detachments.
On the issue of training sabotage groups from among the Basmachi, we have identified a list of the most combat-ready detachments, from where it will be possible to conduct a selection in a short time.
Their numbers and skills depend solely on your means!
In conclusion, I would like to note: the supreme power in Kabul is following the events on the fronts of the Second World War, waiting for the capture of Moscow and Leningrad by the Wehrmacht and the beginning of the fall of the USSR. If, or when, this happens, Kabul will not miss the historic opportunity to establish power over the territories of the Bukhara Emirate and the Khanate of Khiva with the bayonets of the invading Basmachi.
Therefore, King Zahir Shah is forced to tolerate our many thousands of troops in his northern territories, without taking steps to establish control over them.
Unlike the Kabul authorities, the Basmachi have no other choice but not to count on the Reich. Only with him can we return to our homes! We are strangers here in Afghanistan! Kabul uses us all: you as a money bag, us as cannon fodder!
Mahmud-bek has completed his report. Rasmus opened a small leather suitcase, gave Mahmud Bek another tranche in Afghanistan. Mahmud-bek left.
107. EXT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
The taxi stop on the other side of the road - opposite the teahouse. Yakub Khan, standing at the entrance to the teahouse, sees Otto and his friend getting out of the taxi, waving his hand in greeting. Otto and Bruno skip the flow of honking cars, cross the road. Yahya Mukhadi is waiting at the entrance to the teahouse.
OTTO
(to Yakub Khan)
AsSalamu Alaikum!
Yakub Khan nods back with a smile, puts his palm to his heart.
108. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Yakub Khan accompanies Otto, Bruno, Yahya Mukhadi to Otto's usual cot, invites Zalmai to take the order.
OTTO
(addressing Yakub Khan, who is standing next to him)
Yakub Khan! You probably know that a Bundeswehr armored personnel carrier was attacked in Kunduz the other day?
(pause)
Two soldiers were killed, Commander Jung's son from TF-47, a young man of 20 years old, was also abducted?!
Yahya Mukhadi translates Otto's words, Yakub Khan nodded sympathetically.
OTTO
I have a request for you: contact Shamsutdin's people, they probably know who did it.
We will transmit their terms to TF-47
(Otto nodes at Bruno, a stranger to Yakub Khan)
I believe the parties will be able to agree.
YAKUB KHAN
(cheerless)
I can't promise anything, dear.
(pause)
I suggest we meet tomorrow, at the same time. Maybe I can clarify something.
The conversation is interrupted by the efficient Zalmai, who brought the ordered dishes to the guests — a large plate of pilaf, mutton kebab, hot tortillas. The guests postpone the discussion and, under the sincere "Dast az talab nadara" of the Afghan singer Ahmad Zahir, which sounded from the speakers, proceed to the meal. The meal is over, Bruno has paid for lunch and, together with Otto, Yahya Mukhadi leaves the teahouse.
109. EXT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Bruno hailed a taxi parked on the opposite side of the road.
BRUNO
(to Otto Greenberg, Yahya Mukhadi)
You go, and I'll visit the store.
I need to buy a gift.
Bruno hurriedly heads to the jewelry store located 30 steps from the Yakub Khan teahouse with large panoramic windows and bright showcases.
110. INT. JEWELRY STORE — DAY.
At the entrance Bruno is met by the owner — an elderly Sikh Hindu in a black dastar (an Indian turban tied in a characteristic manner), a snow–white kurta (an Indian long wide shirt below the knees), churidars (narrow long trousers) made of expensive fabric.
BRUNO
(positive)
AsSalamu Alaikum!
THE HINDU
(with a smile)
Guten morgen!
Bruno goes inside the store, looks around and goes to the window with a lot of jewelry - with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, lapis lazuli. The Hindu walks along the inside of the showcases and becomes a vis-a-vis.
THE HINDU
(helpfully in German)
Do you want to choose something for yourself?
BRUNO
Not to yourself! To the bride!
THE HINDU
(with pathos)
Wonderful! We have everything to win the heart of a beautiful young lady! Is she German?!
(Pause)
How old is she?!
BRUNO
She is an Afghan woman of 25 years old!
THE HINDU
(astonished)
An Afghan woman?!
BRUNO
(hesitated)
It doesn't matter! I need a gift. The ring!
The Hindu looked at the products, pulls on a tray under a glass case, pompously.
THE HINDU
Gold – white, yellow, pink?! You can choose from the best precious stones in Afghanistan- Pamir rubies, Panjshir emeralds, no worse than Colombian ones, I will note to you!
(looks intently at the confused Bruno)
How much money do you expect?
Bruno is puzzled.
THE HINDU
(he calls out to the assistant)
Raj! Bring us some coffee!
(without letting Bruno come to his senses)
Here, the Afghan-Badakhshan lapis lazuli from Jarm!
The Hindu takes out a silver set of elegant earrings and rings with blue lapis lazuli ovals on a stand.
THE HINDU
Excellent quality of the stone. For your information, Afghan lapis lazuli is the best in the world.
During excavations, it was found even in the tombs of the pharaohs!
Bruno became interested.
BRUNO
(with confidence)
I'll buy it, maybe something else, if you give in to the price.
THE HINDU
(with cunning)
If you buy this and anything else, there will certainly be a discount.
BRUNO
(delighted, runs a glance)
OK! Show me this yellow ring with a green stone.
THE HINDU
(pointed his finger at the product under the glass)
Oh! This is a great choice for the future spouse – the mother of your children!
Mister, a gold ring with an emerald! Panjshir emeralds are famous on world stock exchanges, they are not inferior in quality to Zambian and Brazilian ones.
BRUNO
(having studied the price tags on the string tie – strictly)
What will be the discount?!
THE HINDU
(expertly tapping his fingers on the calculator – with importance)
25% is the maximum!
BRUNO
(categorically)
Not serious – 35%!
THE HINDU
(compromise)
30%!
BRUNO
(conciliatory)
Persuaded!
The Indian lit up with a smile and, taking a VIZA credit card from Bruno, rolls it in the terminal. Then, he puts the jewelry in a small advertising bag with an inscription in Arabic script and passes it to Bruno. Bruno immediately takes them out again and puts them in his uniform backpack. The Hindu smiles. Bruno nodes gratefully to the Indian and is about to leave.
THE HINDU
(after)
Young man!
(benevolently)
At the first opportunity – take your passion and leave Afghanistan! There will be nothing good for you here!
BRUNO
(turning, intrigued)
Why is this all of a sudden?!
Bruno returns, stands up vis-a-vis to the Hindu.
THE HINDU
(putting his hand to his heart)
My name is Iqbal Singh!
BRUNO
(with a smile)
You don't have to know my name!
Call, for example, Konstantin!
THE HINDU
(with cordiality)
Mr. Konstantin! My ancestors came from Punjab to Afghanistan more than two centuries ago. I was born and grew up in Kunduz, where most of them lived in my memory – Pashtuns, Uzbeks, followed by Tajiks, Turkmens, ethnic Arabs and, to a negligible extent, we are Punjabi Sikhs! I graduated from a school in Kunduz, then from a university in Kabul. Afghans and Hindus have always coexisted peacefully in Kunduz, as well as in Fayzabad, Jalalabad, Kabul, Gardez, Kandahar. In the Afghan society there was an absolute tolerance for religious traditions, the same- Hazaras-Shiites, Pamiris-Ismailis, Hindus-Sikhs. It should be noted that the Sikhs living in Afghanistan have been engaged in high-budget trade since ancient times and were not poor people.
Their possessions included large shops and bazaars. The Sikh children studied at the universities of Kabul, Islamabad, Delhi, London and were highly educated! However, with the coming to power in Afghanistan of the radical Taliban movement and in the future, an evil intolerance began to manifest itself towards the Hindus and their traditions. Out of the 150 thousand Sikh community of Afghanistan in the 1970s, there are currently not even 4 thousand!
Afghan children are forbidden to play together with our children, to study in the same school, in other educational institutions. Our children, the Afghan ones, are insulted, called names and humiliated, as well as adults.
Sikhs respect their freedom, as well as the freedom of other people! On the day when my unforgettable wife Amrit Singh died, "May she have a better place in paradise", my grown-up children and representatives of the Sikh community and I saw her off on her last journey in compliance with our religious tradition.
111. EXT. EASTERN QUARTER — DAY.
There is a funeral procession of Hindu Sikhs. Sikhs are dressed in their national clothes, carrying the body of the deceased.
THE HINDU (V.O.)
On the way to the place of cremation of tribesmen that existed from time immemorial, we were met by a raging crowd. With obscene shouts, in front of the respectable citizens.
There is a crowd of Afghans shouting insults, pelting the procession with stones, rotten vegetables, and demanding to get them back to the India immediately.
112. INT. JEWELRY STORE — DAY.
THE HINDU
(emotionally)
We had no choice but to endure this humiliation, tame our pride and sacrifice our dignity.
The horror is that none of the elders who saw this outrage tamed and condemned them!
BRUNO
(nodding sympathetically)
Thank you, Mr. Singh, I'll take your instructions into account!
FLASHBACK
113. NAT. AN ABANDONED WORKSHOP IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA — DAY
Bruno, a 13-year-old boy, is tightly surrounded by older boys beating him. He gets punched and kicked from different sides, and name-calling "rusish" sounds in his address.
Bruno's face is covered in blood, he fights back furiously, but the forces are not equal.
Bruno takes a large boulder and hits one of the offenders in the face with it.
The offender falls unconscious. The crowd makes way in fright.
FLASHBACK OUT
114. INT. JEWELRY STORE — DAY.
Bruno ends the conversation with the Indian, leaves the jewelry store.
115. EXT.KUNDUZ CIRCLE-DAYLIGHT HOURS.
Bruno goes out into the street, squeezes through the moving traffic and smartly jumps into a taxi standing on the opposite side of the road.
116. EXT.MSF HOSPITAL-EVENING. FLASHES OF A CRIMSON SUNSET.
The taxi flows briskly into the courtyard of the MSF hospital and drops Bruno off. He immediately draws attention to a variety stage mounted in the depths of the hospital garden, a farm with lighting devices, sound equipment and artists tuning musical equipment.
117. INT.MSF HOSPITAL-EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
Bruno walks through the hospital corridor and finds Seeta sitting alone in the doctor's room studying medical histories. Bruno fixes her with a loving look and, leaning back against the door, locks himself in. Seeta also looks with love, waiting for his further actions.
Bruno approaches, without looking away, gently takes Seeta's hand and leads her out from behind the table. Turning his back and closing his eyes with the palm of his hand Bruno slowly takes out boxes of jewelry from his backpack and puts them on the table in an open form. Bruno removed his palm, and Seeta beheld a silver set with lapis lazuli and a gold ring with an emerald.
BRUNO
Please try this on!
Seeta is stunned, shyly inserts the rods of earrings into the ear punctures, puts both rings on her ring fingers. Seeta changes her profile twice with a teasing smile, shows earrings in her ears. Seeta raises her fingers up, shows the outside of her palms, shows rings.
SEETA
Well?!
BRUNO
These are my pre-wedding gifts. With a green stone-an engagement ring.
SEETA
(joking)
Is there any money left for the wedding?!
Bruno is inflamed with passion, leans forward to kiss Seeta. Seeta pulls back slightly, covers Bruno's lips with her palm.
SEETA
It's still early!
(pause)
My father agreed after long persuasions – mom and mine, to marry you.
But!
(smiling)
With the indispensable preservation of chastity before entering into the marriage bond.
Maiden honesty is the main wealth of an unmarried girl!
We'll have to be patient!
BRUNO
(shaking his head to the sides, sobering up)
Where to go!
(smiles)
Be patient, so be patient!
SEETA
In the evening, a charity concert of the beloved Afghan singer, musician Shafiq Murid will be held at the MSF hospital. I invite you to the concert program. Only it will be necessary to sit down among male doctors.
(sympathetically with a smile)
Otherwise, it will cause the indignation of my local relatives and local inhabitants. Afghan traditions are strict and unchangeable!
BRUNO
What can I do?!
(smiling)
To men, so to men!
118. EXT. HOSPITAL GARDEN — EVENING. DARKNESS. EXTERNAL LIGHTING
The hospital garden is filled with people, aiding for the concert. The concert will start soon. On the chairs in front of the stage sit the MSF doctoral staff, divided by gender.
Bruno is sitting in the center of the first row. Seeta is in the fourth from the edge. Her blue beautiful dress is in harmony with the stones of jewelry. The patients of the hospital are in the back rows, there are no women among them.
The illustrious Shafiq Murid, a short man in a black pakol and a flowered perukhan, comes out to the musicians who are playing on the stage. The audience meets the artist with applause. Murid begins to perform folk songs in a heartfelt way. To the beat of the tabla (an Afghan musical percussion instrument), the ensemble played rhythmic music, inviting active spectators to dance in front of the stage.
European medical staff MSF employees who know about Seeta's Pashtun origin push her to the stage, forcing her to dance.
Seeta is forced to enter the rhythm, having danced incendiously and inspired the audience and artists who clapped to the beat. Delighted with her grace, Bruno claps are the loudest.
HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM THE BOOK "THE GREAT GAME IN AFGHANISTAN".
119. INT. THE HOUSE OF A WEALTHY AFGHAN — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: KUNDUZ, SOUTHERN OUTSKIRTS, SEPTEMBER 1941.
The house of a wealthy Afghan, a conversation between employees of the German diplomatic mission in Kabul (residents of the Abwehr) Karl RASMUS and Dietrich WITZEL.
The owner of the house brings chess and tea.
Rasmus takes the chessboard in his hands, opens it, and begins to arrange the pieces.
Meanwhile, the owner of the house pours tea into two bowls, and leaves.
Witzel takes out a smoking pipe — a hexagonal "bulldog" Bruyeregarantie, fills it with BREMARIA tobacco from the Bremen company BRINKMANN, lits it.
RASMUS
(to Witzel)
Dietrich, but Mahmoud Bek is right!
I do not believe their king Zahir Shah and the camarilla of the Barakzai dynasty - the eternal creature of the British.
I agree with Reich Minister Ribbentrop, who considers it necessary to replace Zahir Shah with the exiled Emir Amanullah Khan.
For joining the axis countries, the Afghans demand from Germany a guarantee of the transfer of the territories of the republics of Central Asia and access to the Indian Ocean, the port of Karachi. In addition, a large number of military aircraft, artillery guns, tanks.
Isn't that too much?!
Unbridled greed!
(with pathos)
Do you know, Ober lieutenant, that by April 1941, the Chief of the General Staff of the Wehrmacht, Franz Halder, by order of the Fuhrer, had developed a plan for Operation Amanullah?!
According to him, 4,000 paratroopers should seize Kabul and overthrow King Zahir Shah. Having accomplished this, the Wehrmacht troops will rush to the borders of British India and, with the support of the rebellious Pashtun tribes, with the forces of 17 divisions: 6 mountain infantry, 4 infantry, 4 motorized, 3 other mobile units, will capture it.
The base we have created in Afghanistan will become a springboard for the offensive.
The adaptation of personnel to the operation in a region with a hot climate takes place in Greece, a special unit of the Wehrmacht "F".
The above-mentioned divisions will be joined by a "Turkic division" from among Soviet Muslim prisoners of war, natives of Central Asia.
In Poland, a secret base for training saboteurs "SS-20 Forest Camp" or "Main Camp Turkestan" has been created near the city of Wroclaw. Ideological support in them is provided by military mullahs.
Sabotage groups of the "Turkestan Legion", formed from Basmachi from the strongholds we created in Baghlan, Kunduz, will invade the borders of Soviet Central Asia. Weapons will be delivered to northern Afghanistan by Luftwaffe planes.
120. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Otto, Bruno and Yahya Mukhadi enter the teahouse. At the entrance, they are greeted by a friendly Yakub Khan. The guests go into the hall, climb onto the usual cot, notice Halfutdin, the Taliban emissary, who came up to Yakub Khan at the entrance. Yakub Khan leads Halfutdin to the cot where Otto, Bruno and Yahya are sitting.
HALFUTDIN
(to Otto about Bruno without polites)
Who is this?!
Yakub Khan looks at Otto questioningly.
OTTO
(through the translation of Muhadi)
This is an officer of the Bundeswehr, authorized by Oberst Jung.
HALFUTDIN
(looking unkindly at Bruno)
Let him wait until we talk.
Muhadi translates Halfutdin's insistence.
OTTO
(heeding the demand)
Bruno, wait for tea while Yahya and I talk to Halfutdin.
Four people-Halfutdin, Otto, Yahya Mukhadi, following by Yakub khan, go to the service room of the teahouse. Bruno remains sitting on the cot and curiously contemplates the street turmoil. Zalmay appears and skillfully brings a teapot of green tea.
Bruno pours it twice from the bowl back into the teapot and, having filled it to half, takes a sip.
A typical swarthy Afghan (Abdullo Kodirov) in a white turban and beige perukhan comes down from the cot opposite, comes close to Bruno, stands sideways, does not look away from the door to the office room, where a conversation with Halfutdin is taking place.
Kodirov addresses Bruno in good Russian.
KODIROV
I advise you to avoid personal participation in the exchange of Jung's son for the Taliban leaders. And another thing: the Taliban knows about your close relationship with Shamsutdin's niece Seeta Akhmadzai. This is extremely dangerous!
BRUNO
(surprised with displeasure)
Who are you?!
The stranger skips the question, hurriedly goes to Zalmai, who replaced his father at the entrance, puts a bill in his hand on the move, disappears into a dense stream of passers-by.
121. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
The room: Halfutdin, Otto Greenberg, Yahya Mukhadi, Yakub Khan are talking at the table.
HALFUTDIN
Commander Jung's son is staying with Shamsutdin.
The raid on an armored personnel carrier, the abduction of Jung's son was the response on the deaths of children in Daftani.
The younger Jung is treated normally — they give him water and food.
OTTO
What are Shamsutdin's plans for him?!
HALFUTDIN
Anything is possible, Shamsutdin is magnanimous! We will not exclude the exchange option.
OTTO
(with concern)
Who does Shamsutdin want in return?!
HALFUTDIN
Shamsutdin is ready to exchange Commander Jung's son for Mullah Abdul Rahman, who was captured in the Khundai village and five Taliban leaders from Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan, arrested by TF-47!
The list of names is written here!
(hands Otto a folded piece of paper, continuing)
The date and place where the exchange will take place are also indicated there.
Otto opens the crumpled sheet, sees the text in a clumsy font in German. At the bottom, under the list of names of the Taliban, the date, time, and place of exchange are written.
HALFUTDIN
The security of the exchange will be guaranteed by your life and that of someone close to Oberst Jung.
You and someone else from Commander Jung will be taken hostage during the exchange. This is dictated by the fact that the exchange request came from you.
In conclusion, I am told to convey: it is not necessary to take any steps to find the younger Jung!
The young man's life is in the hands of the Almighty and Shamsutdin!
The conversation is over, Yakub Khan escorts Halfutdin to the exit.
122. INT. YAKUB KHAN'S TEAHOUSE — DAY.
Otto and Yahya Mukhadi join Bruno. Yahya pours tea for Otto, Bruno and himself.
OTTO
(to Bruno)
These are the conditions of the Taliban!
BRUNO
(categorically)
I think it's wrong to involve you in this case! It will be me and the TF-47 officer!
OTTO
Have you forgotten?! The conditions are set by the Taliban!
123. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno knocks, enters the office of Oberst Jung, passes a paper from Halfutdin.
BRUNO
The conditions of the Taliban are as follows: Otto Greenberg and I should be held hostage by the Taliban during the exchange at the request of the Taliban.
Oberst Jung turns to the window, looks into the distance, thinks, is silent.
124. EXT. KUNDUZ — DAY.
Kunduz, a loud sound of planes flying up is heard in the city, powerful explosions of dropped bombs are heard seconds later. US aviation from ISAF carries out airstrikes on the MSF hospital.
125. INT. HEADQUARTERS "NORTH" ISAF — DAY.
TITLE: MAZAR-I-SHARIF. GROUP HEADQUARTERS "NORTH" ISAF.
Bruno is sitting in the conference room next to the German military commanders of different levels. The commander of the group, Brigadier General of the Bundeswehr HANS STRUCK, is conducting an instruction. The German Defense Minister is expected to arrive in the coming hours.
HANS STRUCK
In Kunduz, both in
the city itself and in the province, the situation has deteriorated sharply.
ISAF has decided to conduct raids by US forces to eliminate the Taliban underground.
Struk's adjutant enters the office and transmits a telephone message.
HANS STRUCK
(reads aloud)
Gentlemen officers, a moment of attention! 10 minutes ago, the US air force carried out an airstrike on the MSF hospital in Kunduz.
The words "US aviation launched an air strike on the MSF hospital in Kunduz" echoed in Bruno's ears. Bruno caught the eye of Oberst Jung and, nodding, asks permission to leave. Bruno quickly jumps out of the room, calls Seeta on a mobile phone; the answering machine responds.
126. EXT. HOSPITAL — DAY.
TITLE: KUNDUZ. MSF HOSPITAL.
There is a fire and smoke at the place where the impact was carried. Two buildings are half destroyed, the other windows are broken.
NOTE: AT THE TIME OF THE AIRSTRIKE 89 DOCTORS AND OVER A HUNDRED PATIENTS WERE IN THE HOSPITAL. THE 1ST STRIKE IGNITED THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE MSF HOSPITAL, THE 2ND HIT THE BUILDING WHERE THE HOSPITAL WARDS WERE LOCATED. A LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WERE BURNED ALIVE. ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL ESTIMATES, FORTY-TWO PEOPLE DIED UNDER THE BOMBS OF THE US AIR FORCE, THIRTY-SEVEN MORE WERE INJURED. ACCORDING TO HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS, OVER 100 PEOPLE DIED.
127. EXT. HEADQUARTERS "NORTH" ISAF — DAY.
Bruno calls MSF headquarters in Geneva.
BRUNO
Good evening!
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
(in a pleasant female voice)
The office of the international medical organization "Doctors without Borders".
How can I help you?!
BRUNO
(alarmed)
Hello! I can't get through to my fiancee — your employee working at the MSF hospital in Kunduz. Her name is Seeta Akhmadzai. I'd like to make sure she's okay.
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
I'm sorry, we have an emergency right now. The situation with the victims is still being clarified. Please stay on the line.
An MSF employee puts the call on hold, a melody started playing on Bruno's phone.
Bruno is nervous, he taps the wall with his palm in time to the melody.
The MSF office secretary returns to Bruno's call.
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
Thanks for waiting! A lot of calls, I'm sorry. Please repeat your fiancee's last name.
BRUNO
(clearly)
Akhmadzai! Seeta Akhmadzai!
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
Please stay on the line.
The secretary of the MSF office puts the call on hold, a melody started playing on Bruno's phone.
The Secretary returns to the conversation in a faded voice.
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
I'm sorry, but I have bad news for you: Dr. Seeta Akhmadzai is listed as dead.
AN ECHO IN BRUNO'S EARS
"..Sita Akhmadzai is listed among the dead..."
MSF OFFICE SECRETARY (V.O.)
Please leave your contact phone number, we will certainly call you.
Bruno already skips these words, he is crushed, hangs up the phone. Bruno's phone rings — Otto calls.
OTTO
(mournfully)
Bruno, do you already know?!
BRUNO
(with longing)
How did this happen?!
OTTO
I was in a dressing. When the air raid began, we were urgently evacuated to a hospital bunker. I couldn't contact anyone from there. At the time of the impact, Seeta was in the main building at the meeting. The bomb exploded right under their window. The explosion knocked out all the windows. The fragments of the bomb hit everyone who was there. No one survived!
(pause)
I express my condolences to you!
128. EXT. MAZAR-I-SHARIF AIRFIELD — DAY.
TITLE: MAZAR-I-SHARIF AIRFIELD.
The plane lands. The Akhmadzai family descends the ramp — Seeta's parents, older brothers. Everyone is depressed, the mother is in mourning, broken.
129. EXT. CEMETERY — DAWN.
TITLE: IMAM SAHIB, KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
A large house near the mausoleum "Baba Hatim Ziyarat", adjacent to the cemetery. Bruno and Otto drive up to the open gate of a large house. In the center of the courtyard, Seeta's body is wrapped in a shroud. There is a large crowd of women around. Cars continuously drive up to the house, dropping off armed men. They line up, enter the courtyard and approach the cohort of Akhmadzai men. They express their condolences.
Halfutdin has arrived, passes by Bruno and Otto standing at the gate. Halfutdin is followed by a swarthy stranger, an Afghan, who came with him in the same car. It was he who informed Bruno in Russian in Yakub Khan's teahouse that the Taliban knew about "the relationship with Shamsutdin Ahmadzai's niece, and that it was very dangerous." The Afghan stranger does not recognize Bruno, passes into the courtyard.
Bruno and Otto are standing at the gate of the house, not daring to go inside the courtyard, attracting the stern looks of men, curses of women who were moaning. The situation is heating up.
Seeta's father AYUB Ahmadzai, who is seeing off a group of elders, comes out of the courtyard outside the gate of the house. He is heartbroken, sees the Europeans, recognizes Seeta's fiance, Bruno, approaches them.
AYUB
(delicately in German)
It would be better if you left now!
Bruno and Otto, nodding understandingly, leave.
130. INT. BRUNO'S ROOM — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno is lying on the bed in his room, remembering Seeta.
THERE IS A VISUAL SERIES — Bruno gives Seeta pre-wedding jewelry, Seeta dances at a concert at the MSF hospital.
131. EXT. ALIABAD. KUNDUZ PROVINCE — DAWN. A BLUISH VEIL OF FOG.
TITLE: ALIABAD. KUNDUZ PROVINCE.
A wasteland, the outskirts of a village, a taxi pulls off the highway onto a country road. Bruno and Otto get out of the taxi.
Three armed Taliban approach Bruno and Otto. The Taliban tie Otto and Bruno's hands behind their backs, blindfold them, and take them behind the nearest adobe buildings.
A column of 5 units of German armored vehicles appears on the horizon: four ATF DINGO-2 armored cars with special forces, an armored MUNGO truck in the middle. The column decorously pulls off the highway, gets up.
Oberst Jung, two TF-47 officers dismount from the lead armored car, immediately surrounded by the guarding special forces. The fog is clearing. Oberst Jung is tense.
2 motorcycles with 3 Afghans with radio stations are approaching the place. The TF-47 officer points the Afghans to the truck where the Taliban prisoners are. TF-47 officer with a hand gesture orders the special forces to lower the awning on the MUNGO body. In the back of the MUNGO is Mullah Abdul Rahman, 5 Taliban leaders, TF-47 guards.
Motorcyclists are convinced of the presence of Taliban prisoners. Motorcyclists exchange phrases with Taliban prisoners, report to someone by radio that everything is in order, leave.
Halfutdin comes out into the wasteland from behind the adobe building where Bruno and Otto were taken. Halfutdin takes Abdul Rahman with him, 5 Taliban prisoners, all disappear behind the building.
Alfred Jung immediately appears from behind the building in traditional Afghan clothes — in brown perukhan, beige pakol. Alfred sees his father, beamed with a smile, walked towards him with a quick step. Behind Alfred, Bruno and Otto step sedately behind.
Oberst Jung and Alfred with TF47 officers retire to the armored personnel carriers.
Oberst Jung turns to Zimmer on the move, nods silently, thus releasing the order to act.
EC-665 Tiger HAP attack helicopters appeared in the sky, they begin to hit buildings behind which the Taliban barely disappeared. From the buildings, retaliatory shooting opens at helicopters and, at the same time, at Bruno and Otto.
Bruno and Otto ducked and started running, leaving the affected area. A long machine-gun burst from the Taliban hits Otto in the back, his legs gave way, he fell. Bruno ran up, Otto is still alive.
OTTO
(with the last of his strength)
It was impossible to believe Jung!
Otto goes into agony, death throes, dies. Bruno leans towards Otto, throws his head up.
BRUNO
(loudly, frantically)
Why?!
The helicopters are leaving.
Bruno remains sitting next to the deceased Otto.
Ober lieutenant Zimmer abruptly steps up from Bruno's back, raises his machine gun and, pointing the barrel at the back of his head, prepares to shoot.
Abdullo aims and shoots Zimmer in the head from the buildings where the Taliban were located.
The special forces load the bodies of Otto and Zimmer into the back of the MANGO, Bruno sits forward in the cockpit.
132. INT. OBERST JUNG'S OFFICE — DAY.
Bruno resolutely enters the TF-47 headquarters, passes the duty officer, without knocking, bursts into the office of Oberst Jung, approaches Oberst Jung sitting at the table.
Bruno bends down, leans close to Otto's face.
BRUNO
(in a raised tone)
Why did you call the aviation?!
OBERST JUNG
(firmly)
Calm down, Ober-lieutenant!
It wasn't my decision! We are at war, and there are commanders above
me!
BRUNO
(with pressure)
Did you want to kill us?! Otto Greenberg saved your son's life! Why did he pay for it with his own?!
(pause)
The cynicism and inhumanity of ISAF has no limits!
You, Mr. Oberst, are personally responsible for the victims of civilians in Umar-heil. The command of the US grouping and the army of the corrupt Afghan government — the MSF hospital and the children of the village of Daftani!
OBERST JUNG
You, Ober-lieutenant, have completely lost your temper with your Pashtun girl, have turned into a blancmange, and you desecrating the memory of your father!
Bruno is furious, immediately punches Oberst Jung sharply in the jaw. Oberst Jung falls off his feet.
Bruno slams the door loudly, leaves Oberst Jung's office.
133. EXT. SHEREMETYEVO-2 AIRPORT — DAY. CLOUDY.
TITLE: MOSCOW, SHEREMETYEVO-2 AIRPORT.
A large civilian airliner lands on the runway.
134. INT. SHEREMETYEVO-2 AIRPORT BUILDING — DAY.
Bruno goes out to the arrival’s hall of Sheremetyevo-2 airport, takes out his father's old notebook, dials phone numbers. He is answered.
135. INT. RUST'S APARTMENT — DAY.
TITLE: MOSCOW. KUTUZOVSKY AVENUE.
The phone rings in the apartment, a woman in years, RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA, in an oriental long robe embroidered with patterns, her hair in a chignon, approaches.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
I'm listening to you!
BRUNO
Hello! My name is Bruno Thevs.
I need Rustam Tukaev.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(dignitarily)
Hello, Rustam is not here now, this is his mother. What should I tell him?
BRUNO
(brightening up, with a European accent)
Please tell him that Bruno, the son of his friend Konstantin Thevs, who died in Afghanistan, called.
I am in Moscow now and would be glad to see him.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(perked up)
Of course I will! But you should come here to Kutuzovsky avenue. Rustam will be here soon. He talked a lot about your father, Kostya, and he will be glad to see you.
136. EXT. MOSCOW — DAY.
The road, Leningradsky avenue, Garden Ring, Novy Arbat, Bruno is sitting in the back seat of a taxi. He moves the Arbat Bridge, drove to Kutuzovsky avenue, stops at the house.
137. INT. RUST'S APARTMENT — DAY.
Bruno takes the elevator to the top floor, calls the apartment. It is opened by Raisa Akhmadullovna.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(with cordiality)
Hello, Bruno! Come on in.
Bruno goes into the bright hall, sees a familiar framed photograph on the chest of drawers, with a friendly six soldiers on it. He holds his gaze for a while.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
Come into the kitchen.
He makes tea in a teapot, serves a teapot, bowls and a golden Tatar chak-chak to the table.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
Is this your first time in Moscow?
BRUNO
You could say that.
I was four years old when my mother and I flew to Germany for permanent residence, we made a transfer in Moscow.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(amazed)
Oh! How did you keep a good knowledge of the Russian language?
BRUNO
(with a smile)
Thanks to the efforts of my mother, who read Russian fairy tales to me when I was a child.
(pause)
Growing up, I read books by all Russian classics: Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy, Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Gogol, and others.
To save conversational skills, my relatives and I try to communicate in Russian. However, the German language actively displaces it, dominates, because we live in Germany.
(smiles, pause)
I called the phone numbers from my father's notebook, but none of them answered, except for yours.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(with longing)
The fates of the guys turned out differently. Vanechka Kostrov — died at the walls of the House of Soviets in October 1993, a little daughter remained in the family. And Seryozha Sidorenko is completing his prison sentence, he should be released in the next few days. Rustik will go to meet him.
BRUNO
Oh, I'd love to keep him company.
(pause)
You know, I also served in Afghanistan.
(pause)
As part of the ISAF, a NATO grouping.
Now I am retired from military service. I flew to my homeland, to Dzhambul, saw the houses where my parents were born and lived, went to my father's grave, visited elderly relatives.
Reisa Akhmadullovna's eyes filled with moisture.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(with surprise)
Did you serve in Afghanistan?!
How did Mom let you go there?
The conversation is interrupted by a phone call, RUST calls.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(revived, with a loud voice)
Rustic, where are you?!
(pause)
You know, Bruno, the son of Kostya Thevs, has come to us!
There is amazement in the receiver. Rust asks to pass the phone to Bruno.
RUST (V.O.)
Guten Abend!
BRUNO
Guten Abend!
RUST (V.O.)
By what fates?!
BRUNO
I wanted to see my father's friends.
RUST (V.O.)
(approvingly)
Laudable, laudable.
Now my driver will come for you, we will have dinner in the city.
Pass the phone to Mom.
Bruno passes the phone to Raisa Akhmadullovna.
RAISA AKHMADULLOVNA
(disappointed)
Rustic, how so?!
I have already rolled out the dough for kystyby. Why not have dinner at home?
RUST (V.O.)
Mom, I'm sorry, please!
We'll sit in the Black Cat.
More people will come to us.
138. EXT. THE BLACK CAT INN — EVENING. EXTERNAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: MOSCOW. TAGANKA. THE BLACK CAT INN.
A black Mercedes-Benz jeep drives Bruno to the end of the 18th-century mansion, the entrance to the tavern. Bruno descends to the level of the basement, enters.
139. INT. THE BLACK CAT INN — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
At the entrance, stylized as the 1940s, Bruno is met by Rust and a long-bearded, uniformed typical cloakroom attendant. Rust - in a strict suit with the order bars of 2 orders of the "Red Star", medals "For Bravery". Rust warmly hugged Bruno tightly, invited him to pass.
Visually, the inn is divided into two zones. On the left flank, "bandit raspberry", on the right — "Petrovka, 38". "Raspberry" is decorated in the likeness of the Moscow city dwelling of 1930-1940, where various criminal elements gathered. "Petrovka, 38" consists of the offices of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department.
The authenticity of the atmosphere of the 1940s is enhanced by costumed brisk waiters and a trio of fervent musicians with a balalaika, double bass, violin, guitar, performing popular songs and tangos at that time: "By the Black Sea", "Katyusha", "Black Eyes", "Autumn, transparent Morning", "My Bonfire", "Blue eyes", "The night is bright", "The moon is shining", "The month has turned purple", others.
The inn has a welcoming atmosphere. Rust brings Bruno to the set table, cold appetizers have already been served: beef jelly, salted salmon, hot smoked sturgeon, fatty herring with blue onion, boiled potatoes, “Stolichny” salad, Borodino bread, decanters of mors, kvass, other drinks. Rust does not offer to sit down, he is waiting for someone else.
RUST
(enthusiastically)
Well, let me look at you — you looks like your father! Like two drops of water! Is Mom okay?
BRUNO
Everything is fine!
(pause)
After the death of my father, she did not want to arrange a personal life.
Rust nodded his head understandingly.
RUST
(softly)
Bruno, how are you doing with the time? Would you like to accompany me on a trip to the Arkhangelsk region? Sidor, our friend is being released from prison. He will be glad to see Kostyan's son.
BRUNO
I have plenty of time. I will also be glad to see my father's comrade.
RUST
(smiling)
That's settled. We're going together.
Two lean men with a military bearing enter the tavern. Seeing Rust, they go to him.
RUST
(loudly, through the song "Bessarabian woman", pointing at the two guests)
Bruno! This is our company commander in Afghanistan, SEREDA Grigory Semyonovich, and the translator of our regiment from the Dari language, Abdullo Kodirov.
Rust invites everyone to the table. Bruno looks at Abdullo, wondered where he met this swarthy Asian. A girl with an armful of bouquets of white, scarlet roses swims briskly between the tables of the inn.
Rust calls her and buys a bouquet, asks the waitress to put it in a vase with water.
Abdullo addresses Bruno with cordiality.
KODIROV
(looking into Bruno's eyes)
Your father saved my life!
In June 1985, we were ambushed in Panjshir.
FLASHBACK
140. NAT. MOUNTAIN RANGE — DAY.
TITLE: THE UPPER REACHES OF THE PANJSHIR GORGE, PIRYAH DISTRICT SOUTHEAST OF PISHGOR.
Senior Lieutenant Abdullo Kodirov and Kostyan (Kostya Thevs) are cut off by rebel fire and are in the same shelter.
Single shots hitting them escalate into queues and heavy fire.
Abdullo and Kostyan rushed, running to the nearest shelter 100 meters away.
The rebel fire reaches a high density.
Kostyan is the first to run behind the adobe shelter. He is waiting for Abdullo. Abdullo is still missing.
Kostyan looks out from behind the shelter and sees how the wounded Abdullo, lying on the ground, raises his hand behind the clouds of settling dust.
Kostyan looks around, takes more air into his lungs and, breaking into short dashes, falling and turning over, crawls to the wounded Abdullo.
Kostyan loads Abdullo on himself, starts moving quickly with him.
The rebels are hitting at Abdullo and Kostyan, who are crawling into cover in the open area, from two sides, not allowing them to raise their heads.
Kostyan and Abdullo crawl behind a dilapidated adobe wall.
There is a short pause in the battle. Kostyan cuts Abdullo's camouflage with a bayonet knife, injects promedol, bandages the wound.
FLASHBACK OUT
141. INT. THE BLACK CAT INN — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Abdullo looks piercingly into Bruno's eyes.
A waiter approaches the guest table, takes a decanter with red berry juice from the middle, begins to pour into the glasses of the guests.
Bruno was thinking about something.
KODIROV
I was wounded, stayed in the firing zone, and Kostya Thevs came back for me, dragged a decent distance to the shelter under bullets.
Provided first aid, defended.
The voice, the characteristic accent of Abdullo are familiar to Bruno.
BRUNO (V.O.)
Where did I hear that voice?!
BRUNO
(joining the conversation)
I know about that case!
(pause)
When my father died, his friend Koster wrote about it.
Mom still keeps all the letters.
SEREDA
(proudly)
Thevs was a good soldier!
We all left a part of ourselves, our souls in Afghanistan. War is the only thing we have:
good and bad!
RUST
(thoughtfully)
That's right! Grigory Semenovich and Abdullo continue to serve the Motherland.
(with pathos)
And Colonel Kodirov
(looks at Abdullo with a smile)
is constantly on the Afghan direction. As they were in intelligence, so they stayed in it!
Rust's words dawned on Bruno.
BRUNO
I remembered!
(amazed with joy)
You are a swarthy Afghan in a white turban, beige perukhan, who came up in the teahouse of one–eyed Yakub Khan and advised in Russian to avoid personal participation in the exchange of Alfred Jung for Mullah Abdul Rahman and 5 Taliban leaders, and to stop courting Shamsutdin's niece, because it is dangerous.
ABDULLO
Well, from intelligence, let's say, not just us.
(looks at Bruno with a smile)
As far as we know, the Thevs family is already a dynasty! So does TF-47 manage to successfully solve problems in Afghanistan?!
BRUNO
(embarrassed)
It happens in different ways.
(pause)
I no longer serve in this unit.
The musicians starting to perform the tango "Blue Eyes".
The tango is nearing completion, a young, tall, beautiful girl MASHA enters the hall, begins to look for someone with her eyes. She attracts the eyes of all those present. Slim figure, long blond hair, big blue eyes make an impression.
Rust sees the girl, gets up from the table, takes flowers from a vase, goes to meet her. Rust brings the girl to the guest table, sits her vis-a-vis Bruno. Rust holds the girl by the shoulders, introduces her to the guests.
RUST
Let's get acquainted! This is Masha Kostrova, the daughter of our dear Koster, she is a student of the journalism faculty of Moscow State University.
(smiling)
In the near future, with a high probability, the head of ITAR TASS.
Masha blushed.
RUST
(looking at Bruno and the guests)
Masha, and this strong young man is the son of the equally dear for us Kostya Thevs-Bruno.
Bruno stood up and nodded his head politely. Sereda, beaming with a smile, leans back in her chair.
SEREDA
(with joy)
The breed is felt. Gallant as a father.
RUST
(proudly)
Bruno lives in Germany, served in Afghanistan for two years, by the way, in the same zone as we once did.
(smiles)
SEREDA
(glancing at Abdullo)
Did I understand correctly?!
Abdullo nodded his head smilingly.
BRUNO
(with a smile)
You can't say anything, Russian intelligence is working well!
SEREDA
(interested)
And what prompted you to serve in the army and even more so to go to Afghanistan?
(pause)
There has already been a tragedy with Afghanistan in your family.
BRUNO
When I began to grow up, not wanting to disturb my mother with difficult memories, I secretly took out, reread my father's and his friends' letters. At a certain point, I firmly decided that I want to become a military intelligence officer, like my father.
Upon reaching military age, I enlisted in the Army, the airborne brigade in Zweibr;cken. At the final stage of my service, I entered officer courses, after graduating, I was selected for a special intelligence unit of KSK.
After serving for some time in Germany, I turned to the command with a request to send me to serve in Afghanistan in TF-47 - the unit that Abdullo mentioned. That's all, actually.
But that's all in the past.
(with a slight smile, sadness)
SEREDA
What are your future plans?
BRUNO
(embarrassed)
Hasn't decided yet.
KODIROV
(jokingly)
Or maybe... to us?!
SEREDA
Leave the guy alone!
(smiles)
Sereda changed his smile to severity, gets up with a glass. After him, everyone stand up in silence.
SEREDA
The third toast!
(with a glass, grandiloquently)
Dear combat friends and children of our fallen comrades! The feeling of guilt that we are alive, and your fathers are not with us, will always oppress us. We firmly believed in what we were doing, that the sacrifices are not in vain!
Draining glasses, sitting down. Pause.
RUST
(interrupting the silence)
Well! I have at random, two tickets to the Bolshoi for "Giselle"!
(looks at Masha)
Masha, will you support Bruno in his intention to take you to the theater? It's time to get out, my driver will take you to the place.
Masha is confused, Bruno stands up resolutely, looks at Masha, certifying the offer. Bruno and Masha are leaving the table. Sereda, Abdullo, Rust stays seated, follow the young with their eyes.
142. EXT. BOLSHOI THEATER — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: MOSCOW. THE BOLSHOI THEATER.
Bruno and Masha enter the Bolshoi Theatre.
143. INT. HALL OF THE BOLSHOI THEATER — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
The last minutes of the play "Giselle", the performance is over, the artists come out to bow, standing ovation from the audience.
Bruno and Masha get up from their seats and go to the exit.
144. EXT. BOLSHOI THEATER — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno, Masha and the audience leave the Bolshoi Theater.
145. EXT. MOSCOW, RED SQUARE — DAWN.
Moscow, Red Square, deserted. Bruno and Masha pass by Lenin's Mausoleum.
BRUNO
(with a smile)
Again, I am not destined to visit the Mausoleum.
MASHA
(smiles)
You'll have time yet.
Bruno and Masha leave against the background of Vasilievsky Descent.
146. INT. SV-COMPARTMENT — DAY.
TITLE: MOSCOW. BELORUSSKY RAILWAY STATION, MOSCOW — ARKHANGELSK TRAIN.
Rust and Bruno enter and sit down in the compartment. The train starts, picks up speed. The conductor serves tea. Rust and Bruno are sitting opposite each other at the table, Bruno is staring intently at Rust.
BRUNO
What happened to Sidor that he was sentenced for so long?
RUST
After recovering from the injury received at the House of Soviets, Sidor began to build a diamond business. He has a commercial streak, flair, and adventurism. He was the first in the country to open a Russian-American–Belgian–Dutch joint venture. He imported precious stones — diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires. Even in the Army, Sidor was not indifferent to them.
(smiling)
And here is a global scale, huge sums. He mastered gemology, became an expert in cutting, cabochon. He spent a lot of time on business trips to Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, London, Antwerp, Amsterdam, and other places. In general, over time, Sidor began to be surrounded by specific types. The apogee was the case when Sidor shipped a substantial cargo of diamonds from the Cullinan mine in South Africa to his partners in Antwerp. They were engaged in cutting them for Sidor's company. In return, Sidor's company was to receive a certain number of cut diamonds worth $100 million. But in a short period of time, three misadventures occurred.
147. INT. OFFICE SPACE — DAY.
TITLE: ANTWERP, BELGIUM. "DIAMOND QUARTER" MAY 1997.
The workshop of a large diamond cutting company. The owner, a Soviet emigrant of the early 1970s, Shmuel Brandwein, with a black pile on his head, wanting to get home in time for the lighting of Saturday candles by the beginning of Shabbat, hurriedly removes the precious stones in the safe room that are being processed by the craftsmen.
Before going home, Brandwein goes around all the workshops, sets the office alarm, closes the thick armored door with a code.
148. EXT. ANTWERP, PELIKAN STRAAT — DAY.
TITLE: ANTWERP, BELGIUM. PELIKAANSTRAAT STREET.
Brandwein walks briskly down a crowded street.
RUST (V.O.)
It is known for sure that the raw materials were received in Antwerp.
A tall man in his thirties follows behind, trying not to lose sight of him, in a beige raincoat with long brown hair.
RUST (V.O.)
However, the owner of the cutting company, Shmuel Brandwein, who was transporting Sidor's diamonds to Russia, was shot dead while returning home from work in front of an astonished audience on the square of the four diamond exchanges in the very center of Antwerp.
The man catches up with Brandwein, pulls out a pistol with a silencer and, calling out to Brandwein — "Shmuel!", shoots him at point-blank range. Brandwein falls to the cobblestones. The man takes a control shot to the head and disappears into the crowd.
149. INT. SV-COMPARTMENT — DAY.
Rust and Bruno are sitting at a table. Rust pours tea from the kettle into a glass, then pours it back into the kettle. He looks at Bruno.
RUST
(sadly)
Further - more. Sidor had already settled down. That evening, he and his wife were returning home from the theater. Nina was pregnant in the last month.
150. INT. SIDOR'S APARTMENT ENTRANCE - THE EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
TITLE: MOSCOW. BRYUSOV LANE.
Sidor and Nina go up to their floor. Sidor starts to open the door to the apartment.
From the upper floor, you can hear a man's footsteps descending the stairs and approaching a married couple — a killer.
Nina arbitrarily obscures Sidor, turns to the noise, sees a pistol with a silencer in the killer's outstretched hand. Nina and the killer's eyes converge, Nina gets a good look at the killer's face.
The killer stands at the ready, fires the first shot at Nina.
Sidor turns abruptly, picks up Nina, who is falling backwards, and slowly lowers her to the floor.
The killer coolly points the gun at Sidor's forehead, Sidor is inactive, the killer pulls the trigger. The gun misfires.
Sidor, without hesitation, rushes to the killer, clings to his neck; unclenches his fingers, the killer is already dead.
Sidor returns to Nina; Nina is no longer breathing.
151. SV-COMPARTMENT — DAY.
Rust and Bruno are sitting at a table opposite each other, having a conversation.
RUST
Sidor was arrested. The investigation was persistently looking for evidence of Sidor's involvement in the murder of Brandwein in Antwerp. During a search of Sidor's office, millions of dollars’ worth of gems undeclared during the passage of Russian customs were seized. Sidor was convicted under the article "for the illegal trafficking of precious stones on a particularly large scale", having appointed an extremely long term.
The MOSCOW-ARKHANGELSK train is approaching its destination, private houses and booths of country cottages are visible outside the windows. There is a knock on the door of the carriage.
THE CONDUCTOR
Will you order tea or coffee? We arrive in Arkhangelsk in half an hour.
Rust looks at Bruno, both refuses.
RUST
How was your trip to the Bolshoi Theatre with Masha? I was getting worried about your long absence. I didn't call you. You're an adult now,
(smiling)
you can't get lost in Moscow.
BRUNO
(enthusiastically)
Wonderful! After the performance, we walked around Moscow all night. My childhood dream came true — to visit the Red Square. It's a pity we couldn't get to Lenin.
(smiles)
We went to a restaurant in GUM. During the meal, we sincerely told each other about ourselves.
(pause)
As soon as I saw Masha in the "Black Cat", I lost my head. I fell in love at first sight. You will probably find my action unacceptable, but in the morning, I proposed to Masha to marry me.
RUST
(astonished)
This is happiness, man! How glad I am that this has happened! Here we will meet Sidor, and as a close friend of your father, I will take over the organization of the wedding!
152. EXT. RAILWAY STATION PLATFORM — DAY.
TITLE: ARKHANGELSK.
People are waiting for the arrival of the train, among them the Rust's driver MUNIR. In the parking lot of the railway station, Rust and Bruno get into a black oversized jeep, driven by Munir. The jeep is moving.
153. EXT. THE OUTSKIRTS OF KOTLAS — DAY.
TITLE: THE CITY OF KOTLAS. ARKHANGELSK REGION, A STRICT REGIME COLONY.
A jeep with Rust and Bruno pulls into a parking lot in front of a barbed wire fenced area.
Soldiers armed with machine guns are standing on towers and checkpoints.
A bald-haired man with a trunk in a tracksuit and a leather jacket comes out from behind the gate. This is Sidor.
Rust and Bruno get out of the car, go to meet SIDOR.
RUST
(sonorously from a distance)
From start to finish!
SIDOR
(positively, slightly embarrassed)
I've been to the war, and it's clearly fated to go to prison!
RUST
(with a smile)
Fatalist!
(looking at Bruno)
Does he remind you of anyone?!
Sidor looks at Bruno, think about it.
BRUNO
(with a smile)
I am the son of Konstantin Thevs!
SIDOR
(to Rust, delighted)
But he looks like Kostyan, doesn't he, Rust?!
RUST
(with a smile)
A son, after all, how can he not be like his father?!
(pause)
But that's not all the good news! Soon, he will marry Masha Kostrova!
SIDOR
(astonished)
Wow! This is truly good news!
(with regret)
It's just a pity that their fathers did not live to see this wonderful day.
There was a short silence.
RUST
(to Sidor and Bruno)
Well, shall we get in the car?!
Rust, Sidor and Bruno get into the car and return to Arkhangelsk.
154. EXT. HIGHWAY— DAY.
The black Jeep is on the move. Munir is driving, Rust is in the passenger seat in front. Sidor and Bruno are in the back. They drive in silence, the radio sounds quietly in the cabin.
The wedding cortege, beeping loudly, overtakes the jeep at high speed. Young people wave their hands from the open windows of 4 white executive foreign cars.
The jeep shares the positive of the motorcade. Sidor, Rust, and Bruno are waving back.
155. EXT. RAILWAY CROSSING — DAY.
A jeep with Rust, Sidor, Bruno and Munir is approaching the railway crossing on the outskirts of the settlement. The barrier is down.
The wedding cortege is tightly lined up to the barrier.
Two decorative golden rings are fixed on top of the roof of the limousine standing last. Inside, the newlyweds are sitting on the back leather seat: a naughty young groom in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a pretty young bride in a magnificent wedding dress with a veil.
The second one behind the motorcade is a KAMAZ truck that has arrived, filled to the top with bags of sand concrete.
Rust's jeep stands third behind the KAMAZ.
While waiting for the train, festively dressed young people loudly pour out of the cars of the motorcade.
Deafeningly shooting corks up and spraying foam on screaming girls with glasses, the guys open bottles of champagne.
Young people dance to the song "WE WISH YOU HAPPINESS" playing from the car.
156. INT. RUST'S JEEP — DAY.
Rust turns to Sidor, both smiling.
Bruno falls into melancholy, remembers the deceased bride, Seeta Akhmadzai.
FLASHBACK
157. EXT. HOSPITAL GARDEN — EVENING. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Seeta dances in slow motion at a concert at the MSF hospital to the music of the Afghan singer Shafiq Murid, the audience and Bruno cheerfully clap Seeta.
FLASHBACK OUT
158. INT. RUST'S JEEP — DAY.
Rust hugs Bruno.
RUST
(not noticing Bruno's sadness)
There will be a celebration on our street soon. Isn't that right, Bruno?!
Bruno is distracted, smiling slightly.
159. NAT. RAILWAY CROSSING — DAY.
There is still no train.
The drivers of the wedding motorcade, tired of waiting, are calling passengers to get into their cars with horns. The cars of the motorcade, one after another, begin to move, go around the barrier, move over the railway track.
A brisk attendant in an orange uniform runs out of the booth, shouts, waving a baton.
A passenger train appears in the distance, rushing at high speed.
The second car of the motorcade in the tail of the first overcomes the railway crossing.
All four of Rust's jeep jump out of the car, anxiously watching what is happening.
MUNIR
They're crazy, they're going to get killed!
The rapidly approaching train begins to emit shrill horns.
Following the second car of the motorcade, a third one goes through the railway tracks.
Behind her, a limousine with the newlyweds is moving around the barrier.
As soon as the limo pulls into the wooden deck for the rail track, it stalls and becomes motionless.
The screech of metal on a braking train is heard.
Seeing this, Bruno jumps out of the jeep, rushes to the KAMAZ parked in front, the driver of which smokes near the car, abruptly jumps into the cabin, revs up, rams the car with the newlyweds from the railway track.
The train sliding on the brakes hits the KAMAZ in the side of the body, turns it over.
The train stops. The limousine with rings with a flattened trunk and a KAMAZ truck with a crumpled cabin are visible on the other side of the railway track.
Sidor and Munir run to the scene of the accident.
Rust watches as Sidor and Munir extract the wounded Bruno, who was cut by broken glass, from the KAMAZ.
A limping Bruno is loaded into the SUV.
160. INT. EMERGENCY ROOM — DAY
The emergency room is crowded. In the office behind the screen, the doctor examines Bruno's wounds — there are no serious injuries.
Limping, with a bandaged head, Bruno goes out to Rust and Sidor, who are waiting in the hospital corridor.
Bruno is met by a police officer who submits the "Incident Report" for signature.
161. EXT. EMERGENCY ROOM — DAY.
Bruno, Rust and Sidor come out of the emergency room.
BRUNO
(smiling)
I'll have to empty my holdings for damages.
RUST
(smiling)
Don't worry, we'll figure it out!
Rust, Sidor and Bruno get into Munir's black jeep and continue on their way.
162. EXT. MOSCOW COURTYARD — EVENING, ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING.
Bruno limps into the archway of the old cozy city courtyard. His face is cut, with red stripes of scratches, and his head is bandaged.
Bruno has a large bouquet of scarlet roses in his hands.
Masha looks at Bruno sympathetically from the balcony of a two-story house. Bruno does not see Masha, enters the entrance.
THE END
Zugzwang of Ober Lieutenant Bruno Thevs. Synopsis
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