Reportage by The G Project

reportage

Flat 7 13 Murray Grove London N1 7JY 07821894389 Jamelia_Le@mail.ru

REPORTAGE

BLACK SCREEN SUPER:

’"Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve." - Bernard Shaw’

FADE IN: INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, NIGHT There is a black and white silent film projected on the screen in the conference room. On the screen we can see men in military uniforms marching on the training ground. They start doing exercises first press-ups, then vigorously swinging their arms. NARRATOR (V.O.) During Soviet times, Yasny was a closed military town with strict rules and moral laws that sometimes were hard to obey. In the following shot on screen we see a lot of children in a classroom. They are all dressed in dark grey uniforms. They are looking at the teacher who is holding a history book in one hand and a long wooden pointer in the other hand. As she asks them something, a couple of children raise their hands, eager to answer her question. NARRATOR (V.O.) Discipline in school was the same as in the army. Children were raised and taught to serve their country without reserve. The next shot shows an abandoned military unit with cracks in the walls and no windows. NARRATOR (V.O.) As the Soviet Union dissolved, Yasny’s status as a military town was revoked and it was left without funding. In the next scene on screen we see Yasny’s streets, filled with military vehicles driving off. People watch them pass by. Then we see an empty town hall with a few tables and cupboards. (CONTINUED)

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

2. NARRATOR (V.O.) Yasny was left abandoned with most of the military gone. It was left in decay with a smaller population and broken dreams.

In the last scene, Yasny’s small square is shown being empty. The scenery is quite dark as it is winter. The sky is grey and all the trees are bare. NARRATOR (V.O.) But everything has changed now. Today Yasny is perfect. The film ends. EXT. SMALL SQUARE, DAY SUBTITLE: ’Present Day.’ A van moves towards Yasny’s small square, which is near the main administration building. Next to the square there are a lot of trees, a small alley with benches and some flowerbeds. Everything is organized and well-groomed. The tiny streets are empty apart from a couple of people hurrying somewhere. INT. VAN, DAY SVETLANA, 27, is sitting inside a car with VLADIMIR, 29, a camera operator, and GEORGE, 36, a sound operator. Svetlana is a young slender woman with dark hair and dark eyes. Vladimir has light-coloured hair and grey eyes. George has brown hair with serious dark eyes. They are all dressed casually. Vladimir is driving the van. Film equipment is visible in the back seat. Svetlana is reading documents from a folder. There are old black and white photos of Yasny and newspaper clippings with titles like ’Corruption in Russia - any way to fight it?’, ’Russia in the global crisis’, ’Salvation for Russia in its past?’. Then she raises her head to look out the window. SVETLANA We are here! It took a while to get through the security checkpoint. I thought they didn’t want us to make this documentary anymore. Vladimir turns to look at Svetlana. (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

3. VLADIMIR I think they still act as if they live in a Soviet military town. There aren’t as many newcomers, you know.

Svetlana looks up at him thoughtfully. SVETLANA But now they represent themselves as a community with collective farming, right? It still seems like the USSR. VLADIMIR (laughs) You could say so. SVETLANA It was a military town, right? Isn’t it dangerous out here? What if we see or hear something we shouldn’t? George looks closely at Svetlana and Vladimir. GEORGE It was a military town. Now it’s a friendly gardening community in the Moscow region with high security. It’s best if you don’t provoke local authority while digging deep into the past. After all, many of them are former Soviet military. Svetlana looks slightly irritated by George’s remark. SVETLANA I’ll do what I have to do. I’ll uncover the truth. VLADIMIR (glances at them) Come on, guys. We are a team, remember? George, you are scaring her. We don’t live in the ’30s during the Stalin regime. We just have to stick to our plan. We’ll do it together. Svetlana smiles at Vladimir. George frowns as he looks at them. (CONTINUED) 3

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

4. GEORGE You’re biased, Vladimir. You don’t have to take Svetlana’s side because she is your friend.

George turns away irritated. EXT. SMALL SQUARE, DAY Svetlana and the crew get out of the car. GENERAL USOV, 70, a grey-haired, well-built man, approaches to greet them. USOV Good morning! I hope you had a nice trip. Welcome to Yasny! To us, it’s the most perfect town in the world. Oh, yes, everything is ready for your stay. Let me show you the place you will stay in. SVETLANA Nice to meet you, General Usov. George and Vladimir shake hands with Usov. He walks with them along the street. Svetlana and her colleagues look around. They walk by what looks like a recently-built administration building. SVETLANA (looks at the building) It seems quite modern. USOV Well, it was built in 1993. The old buildings of the military unit were not very convenient. And their layout was quite particular. Svetlana looks around again as if looking for something. SVETLANA It seems rather quiet for 11 o’clock. Where is everyone? USOV Vegetable gardens keep everyone busy. It’s a bit of a hassle to have your own house and a garden, but it’s definitely worth it. They approach a military-looking vehicle, UAZ Bars. (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

5. USOV Now if you don’t mind we’ll take a ride to my place.

They all get into the car. EXT. USOV’S HOUSE, DAY They drive up to a two-story wooden house by a lake. They all get out of the car. OLGA, 42, a slim woman with a pale face and braided hair, comes out to greet them. USOV This is where you’ll stay for this week. It’s my house. Please feel at home, but don’t forget you’re only just guests. (laughs and then continues) Unfortunately, I have to go as I have some business to attend to. Olga will show you your rooms. Feel free to ask us if you need anything. SVETLANA Thank you for your hospitality. Usov nods to Olga and leaves. Olga opens the front door for the guests. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM, DAY Svetlana unpacks her things. A wardrobe is open. She puts her clothes on the shelves. The door opens and Olga comes in. OLGA I brought you fresh towels. SVETLANA Thank you, Olga. This is a really cozy house. It looks just like the one I lived in when I was a child. OLGA It’s quite old too - sixty years or so... We will have dinner in an hour.

(CONTINUED) 5

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

6. SVETLANA Good. I have enough time to take a shower.

Olga leaves the room. Svetlana continues to unpack her luggage. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM, DAY Svetlana, Vladimir, George, General Usov, 64, and ALEXANDER, 30, are sitting at the Maria is a small taciturn woman with fair eyes. Alexander is a strong man with dark brown hair.

his wife, MARIA, table eating. hair and grey hazel eyes and

The table they are sitting at is made of wood and can seat 12 people. USOV I really hope that your documentary will change people’s opinions about communities. After the USSR was dissolved people lost the protection of their government. Such a mess. A lot of us feel nostalgic about those days. The sense of togetherness. Sharing, security... Now everyone’s on their own. SVETLANA I understand what you mean. I grew up in a similar place. We’ll show people the truth as it is. While Svetlana and Usov talk the rest are eating and looking at them with interest. George is frowning slightly as he looks at Svetlana. USOV (drinks his tea) Good. I just need to tell you our simple rules. First, people in our community don’t like outsiders, especially journalists. You can see that they are a little... shy. And second, some of our buildings date back to the Soviet era. Like the military unit that is now abandoned. It can be unsafe to walk there. (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

7. SVETLANA (looks a little confused) You don’t need to worry. We’re professionals. No one will get hurt. So let’s start with some history then? USOV If so, you should go to our local museum. Alexander can take you there. Take a map with you as well.

Alexander smiles encouragingly at Svetlana. She smiles back at him. Olga enters the room. She approaches Usov. OLGA I’m sorry to interrupt but there’s a man waiting for you in the hall. He says it’s urgent. USOV Is it? Who is it? OLGA It’s Semyon. USOV (gets up from the table) I wish I could talk to you more but I need to talk to that man. Usov leaves the room followed by Olga. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM, DAY Vladimir is sitting on the bed, reading some folder. Svetlana is looking out the window. SVETLANA What do you think of Yasny and its people? VLADIMIR I think they’re quite nice. SVETLANA Nice. Yeah. And obedient I would say. They look at Usov as an absolute leader. He has the power to set the rules. I think George (MORE) (CONTINUED) 7

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

8. SVETLANA (cont’d) likes him because he is obsessed with rules. VLADIMIR (sighs) Well, I’m not a nerd like George, but I’d be careful about the way I act around them.

Svetlana turns from the window to look at Vladimir. SVETLANA Vladimir, we’ve been friends and colleagues for so long. Don’t you know me? I’ll never cross a line if there’s no need. Vladimir smiles ironically at Svetlana. INT. TOWN HALL - EXHIBITION HALL, NIGHT Svetlana and her crew are standing and talking to ANASTASYA KISILEVA, 53, a local historian. She wears a black suit and a pair of glasses. Svetlana nods to Vladimir who holds the camera as they start filming. ANASTASYA After the USSR was dissolved twenty years ago, the residents of Yasny decided to preserve their community at all costs. They didn’t want to lose their bonds, their land. Some of the residents had connections with politicians. Besides, people’s actions persuaded the Government to leave Yasny as it was... INT. TOWN HALL - EXHIBITION HALL, NIGHT Svetlana is walking around the hall and looking at the displays of military documents, weapons and household goods from the Soviet era. Then she walks along the walls covered with photographs and paintings depicting the landscapes of Yasny. She stops at a black and white photo titled ’July, 1990’. She looks at the group of people in the photo. All of them are dressed in military uniforms. Svetlana recognizes a younger General Usov in one of them. (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

9. ANASTASYA (comes up to Svetlana) These were Yasny’s old authorities. The military. It used to be a closed military town that performed secret operations ordered by the Government. They were Yasny’s rulers who made their own laws.

Svetlana glances at Anastasya with interest as she wants the historian to continue. ANASTASYA (smiles bitterly) We paid a high price for our freedom. Today Yasny is our small perfect world. Svetlana looks at her with interest. When Anastasya looks at the photo her eyes are clouded. EXT. THE ABANDONED PART OF YASNY, NIGHT Svetlana walks up with a map in her hand to the barbed wire that surrounds the abandoned part of Yasny. We can see the military unit through the wire. There is a big training ground by the main building. The main building is grey with small windows. The wall has been partially destroyed and there is no roof. There are smaller military barracks a little to the side. Svetlana notices the sign attached to the wire. It says: ’Danger! Unstable structure’. She looks curiously at the building again. She sees a small gap in the wire and comes up to it. A GUARD, 48, in uniform, appears. GUARD (inquiringly) Hello. You are visiting the town, aren’t you? Are you lost? Can I help you find your way back? SVETLANA Actually, I was just having some fresh air. And I have a map. GUARD (a bit nervous) If I were you I wouldn’t go there. (he nods at the wire) (MORE) (CONTINUED) 9

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

10. GUARD (cont’d) The buildings there are destroyed and it’s not safe. No one is allowed inside that area. SVETLANA Really? Well, I didn’t mean to go there anyway. I should be going back or my friends will start worrying.

Svetlana nods to the Guard and walks away. He gazes intently at Svetlana. EXT. KITCHEN GARDEN, DAY George and Vladimir are filming Svetlana as she interviews NATALYA, 37, a local housewife. She is a strong red-haired woman of medium height dressed in a light blue dress. They are standing in a small, well-groomed vegetable garden. There are several wide vegetable patches and a couple of trees by the hedge. There are also three self-made greenhouses. SVETLANA (looks around) Wow! You grow everything yourself. Do you buy anything? NATALYA Sometimes. Mostly clothes. Here food is natural and organic. No need to import. Back to basics. People don’t need much to live on. And Yasny is such a perfect place to live. MISHA, 6, runs up to Natalya and hugs her. George and Vladimir stop filming. NATALYA Hey, honey. What happened? I told you I would be busy for a while. MISHA But, Mum. I really want to see Daddy. When will he be back? NATALYA (answers after a pause) (MORE) (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

11. NATALYA (cont’d) I told you before. He is very busy working at the sawmill. He will stay there overnight.

Misha looks at Natalya wide-eyed and claws at her dress. He starts to twist his head round. MISHA Not true. Bad people came at night and took him. I was not sleeping. I saw it. But Daddy struggled. He didn’t want to go with them! NATALYA (scared) Tssss, Misha. It was a dream. No one took him. He just works day and night. For us and for Yasny. But Mum...

MISHA

NATALYA (interrupts him and looks at Svetlana) I’m going to reheat a dinner for my son. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Natalya quickly leaves with her son. Svetlana looks at her with curiosity. EXT. STREET, DAY Svetlana, George and Vladimir walk with their equipment along the street. Small houses line the street. All the windows have their curtains drawn. Svetlana looks closely at the houses. C/U at one window where a figure appears and opens the curtain slightly before quickly moving away from the window. Svetlana stops to look at the window. George and Vladimir continue walking. SVETLANA (quietly to herself) What the hell? GEORGE (in a tired voice) Are you coming, Svetlana? We’ll be late for dinner!

Leyla Garaeva

12. Svetlana turns away and follows George and Vladimir. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM, NIGHT Svetlana, Vladimir, George, General Usov, Maria and Alexander are sitting at the table and eating. Svetlana is sitting next to Alexander. ALEXANDER So how do you find Yasny? Does it remind you of home? SVETLANA A little. I even feel nostalgic. I was so carefree as a child. No worries, no rushing. Not like living in the capital city. But in Moscow my dream of becoming a journalist came true. ALEXANDER I’ve read your articles about Russia today and how different it is from the past. Perestroika changes it all. Our lives and values. For better or worse... What if you lived here? SVETLANA (ironically) Is it even possible? Yasny is so... self-contained. But why not? Alexander and Svetlana visibly enjoy their talk. George and Vladimir are talking to Usov while Maria stays quiet. She just looks at her plate. Svetlana laughs as she talks to Alexander. Usov looks at them closely. Maria stares anxiously at her husband. George looks at Svetlana with disapproval and shakes his head. Svetlana and Alexander continue to talk. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - HALL, NIGHT Svetlana walks towards the stairs when SEMYON, 35, appears. He is a tall, well-built man with fair complexion, blond hair and big blue eyes. As he walks in he looks very serious.

(CONTINUED)

REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

13. Hello!

SVETLANA

Semyon ignores her as he walks gravely past her. Svetlana looks at him with confusion, then walks upstairs. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM, NIGHT Svetlana sits on the bed and makes a note in her notebook: the words ’Yasny’s military unit’ and a question mark. Svetlana circles the note. There are voices outside the house. Svetlana puts away the notebook. She comes up to the window. She sees Semyon who quickly leaves the house, closing the front door with a loud bang. A knock at the door. SVETLANA (turns away from the window) Come in! Alexander enters the room. He smiles at Svetlana. ALEXANDER I wanted to check if you were alright. Do you want to go for a walk? SVETLANA I have some time. So why not. Svetlana glances at the notebook. Alexander leaves the room. Then she switches off the light and leaves. EXT. STREET, NIGHT Svetlana and Alexander walk along the street. The street is empty. Svetlana looks around curiously. SVETLANA Is there some kind of curfew? Where is everyone? ALEXANDER (laughs) Well. People here like to spend evenings with their families. And tomorrow is the anniversary of the foundation of Yasny. (CONTINUED) 13

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

14. SVETLANA I see. So everybody participates? ALEXANDER (smiles at Svetlana) Everybody wants to. Everything is based on mutual agreement. People want to be useful for Yasny’s community. SVETLANA So there are places like this left. A perfect community.

They continue to walk. EXT. TOP OF A HILL, NIGHT Alexander and Svetlana arrive at the top of the hill. The view of Yasny is spread out at their feet. It is very quiet. Alexander breathes in deep and looks at the town. ALEXANDER Quite a scene, isn’t it? SVETLANA It is breathtaking. The air up here is so fresh. Like at home. Alexander smiles radiantly at her. They both look at the foot of the hill. EXT. STREET, NIGHT Vladimir, George and Svetlana take film equipment from the van. The men are wearing shirts and dark trousers. Svetlana is wearing a long, dark green dress. SVETLANA So, guys. Today we’re gonna do our best. It’s the biggest part of our documentary. Ready? VLADIMIR I’m sure we’ll be fine. GEORGE We’ll do what we always do. They approach the town hall and enter.

REPORTAGE

15. INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT A lot of well-dressed people are standing in a big hall. There are children running around the hall. There is a small stage with speakers. There are balloons hanging everywhere. There are big framed photos on the walls. There is a huge poster above the stage that says ’Yasny - 20 years!’. A little to the side there is a long table with snacks and drinks. Classical music plays through the speakers. It is quite noisy as people chat, laugh and eat. Vladimir, George and Svetlana enter the hall. Svetlana leaves her colleagues as she notices General Usov and Alexander, who approach her. USOV You still have a couple of minutes to set up your equipment. At the same time, have a drink and enjoy yourself. SVETLANA We certainly will. Thank you, General. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT Svetlana walks up to Maria while everybody is busy dancing and talking. SVETLANA Could I ask you a few questions? MARIA (drops her gaze) I’m not sure I’ll be able to answer. SVETLANA If you can just tell me what it feels like to be the first lady of Yasny? Svetlana smiles encouragingly at Maria. Maria looks totally confused, if not scared. She starts to look around. Usov comes up to them. (CONTINUED)

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

16. USOV How do you find the night, ladies? SVETLANA The night seems to be very promising, General.

Svetlana smiles at Usov and tries to look in Maria’s face. Maria avoids Svetlana’s gaze. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT General Usov and Maria are standing on the stage. Svetlana and her team are filming them. The music stops playing. USOV (loudly) May I have your attention, everyone. Today is a special day for all of us. It’s hard to believe that we have been living in Yasny’s community for 20 years. And I want to offer this toast for keeping our town perfect, with high ideals, for many more years. Usov and Maria raise their glasses. Everyone else does the same. Everybody drinks. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT Svetlana and Alexander are slow dancing, trying to keep up to the rhythm. Suddenly, Svetlana steps on Alexander’s foot. SVETLANA (anxiously) I’m sorry. I told you I’m bad at this. ALEXANDER (with amusement) Well. You are right. Svetlana gives him a reproachful look. Alexander smiles at her and she smiles back. They continue to dance. CUT TO:

REPORTAGE

17. INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT A group of eight children around the age of 8 take their place on the stage for the dance. The girls and boys are all dressed in folk costumes. The girls’ hair is braided and adorned with ribbons. Russian folk music starts to play. The children dance very energetically while the adults clap their hands to encourage them. Svetlana looks at them, smiles and claps her hands as well. CUT TO: INT. TOWN HALL, NIGHT People are dancing again. Svetlana is back with Vladimir and George. Maria and Alexander also join them. They all talk. Semyon storms into the hall. He wears casual clothes but he looks disheveled. He runs up to Usov and grabs his jacket. SEMYON (hysterically) You made a promise! I did what you told me. But you tricked me! You... USOV Calm down, Semyon. Are you drunk again? SEMYON (spits at him) You bastard. I won’t do your bidding! Two men in military uniforms come up and grab him so he can’t resist. They drag him to the entrance and leave the town hall. Everybody seems excited and anxious. Svetlana continues to look curiously at the entrance door. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM, DAY Vladimir, George, General Usov, Maria, Svetlana and Alexander are having breakfast at the table. USOV I hope you enjoyed the evening. As Usov speaks Svetlana looks at him with curiosity. She looks at Vladimir who is sitting at her side. (CONTINUED)

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

18. VLADIMIR Yes. And we have amazing footage. GEORGE I liked the children dancing. The Russian national dance was amazing. SVETLANA I interviewed some people. It went pretty much fine.

Svetlana smiles at Usov. Maria stops eating and glances anxiously at her husband. Alexander quietly drinks his tea. Usov tries not to show any emotion. Then he slowly smiles back at Svetlana. USOV All is good then. So where are you going next? SVETLANA (thoughtfully) We want to interview the sawmill workers next. USOV It’s a good idea. I’ll inform them. Svetlana peers at Usov. She meets Maria’s eyes, which express anxiety and warning. Maria shakes her head slightly. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - CORRIDOR, DAY Svetlana is walking along the corridor. Vladimir runs towards her and grabs her hand. Svetlana turns around startled. SVETLANA (breathes in deep) Vladimir? You scared me. VLADIMIR I saw your look. Something is bothering you. Can you tell me? SVETLANA Bothering me? Are you joking? You saw what happened yesterday. Usov didn’t say a single word about it. The housewife’s child. Maria keeps silent. Everyone is so cautious and tense. It’s not normal! (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

19. VLADIMIR Svetlana, Usov told us that people here are shy... SVETLANA How can you be so blind? He hasn’t told us everything and I will find out why. VLADIMIR The guy from yesterday was drunk. Maybe the truth is much simpler.

Svetlana looks at Vladimir with disappointment and leaves him alone in the corridor. EXT. SAWMILL, DAY We can see a sawmill in the woods. A lot of men in boiler suits are working in the yard. George, Vladimir and Svetlana stand and talk to a WORKER. SVETLANA We have great footage! And now I can boast of my knowledge of woodworking! WORKER Just wait a bit. Our superior will come soon and give you more details. The Worker leaves. George and Vladimir are busy with the film equipment. Svetlana looks around and breathes deeply. SVETLANA The air is so fresh here. Guys, I’ll walk around for a bit. I haven’t been in the woods for a while. GEORGE Don’t take too long. And please don’t get into more trouble! SVETLANA I’m always careful. Svetlana walks away from them.

Leyla Garaeva

20. EXT. WOODS, DAY Svetlana walks forward and looks around. There are a lot of tall trees and it is quite dark as they block out the sky. It is very quiet, only the wind blows. Svetlana notices a clear space between the trees. She starts to walk towards it. As Svetlana approaches she starts to distinguish the shape of some building. She continues walking towards it. EXT. WAREHOUSE, DAY Svetlana walks by a building that resembles a warehouse. It looks abandoned. Svetlana tries to find an entrance. Someone starts to knock. Svetlana goes to the source of the sound. She sees a small dirty window and tries to look inside. SVETLANA Hello? Is there somebody inside? There is silence for a moment. Then a face appears in the small window. It is Semyon. Svetlana recoils. SEMYON (suspiciously) Who are you? And what are you doing here? SVETLANA (surprised) I know you. I saw you in Usov’s house. And yesterday you came drunk to the town hall! What?

SEMYON

SVETLANA Listen. I’m a journalist, I came here to make a documentary about Yasny. People here are strange. They are hiding some secret. Do you know what’s going on here? SEMYON (laughs) Now I see. They want to present Yasny as a perfect community. To conceal the truth! (CONTINUED)

REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

21. SVETLANA (confused) What truth? What are you talking about?

Semyon continues to laugh. He looks like he has lost his mind. Svetlana gazes at him waiting for a reply. SEMYON My friend was the first to tell me their secret. And then he disappeared. It was because of wild animals in the woods, you see. Haha. I will be the next one to disappear. But I will not make it easy for them. What truth? A revolt. A lot of dead people. The price for leaving the community. SVETLANA Why is having a community so bad? I don’t get it. SEMYON Because it’s up to them to decide who lives and who dies! It’s already happened before. A lot of people disappeared. Like in the ’30s when Stalin ruled the USSR! Go to the military unit and you’ll see. SVETLANA No! I don’t believe you. It’s too radical and cruel. You’re sick! SEMYON (laughs like crazy) You’d better run fast, girl! RUUUN!!!! Svetlana, shocked by Semyon’s reaction, runs into the woods. EXT. SAWMILL, DAY Svetlana gasps as she reaches the sawmill. She calms down and sees George and Vladimir. There is also a man in his 40s standing next to them. GEORGE (irritated) Finally! Where have you been for so long? (CONTINUED) 21

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

22. SVETLANA Calm down, George. I got a little lost.

Svetlana forces herself to smile as she approaches them. EXT. LAKE BY USOV’S HOUSE, DAY Svetlana walks by the lake that is by Usov’s house. She looks at the water, deep in thought. Alexander smiles as he approaches her. ALEXANDER Svetlana, I’m afraid the water in the lake is still a little cold for swimming. SVETLANA Oh hi! I didn’t see you. Looking at the water is soothing. ALEXANDER Are you worried then? Is something wrong with the documentary? SVETLANA I really want to make it objective. Not some kind of propaganda. ALEXANDER (raises his eyebrows) Propaganda? It’s not the Soviet time, Sveta. Today we have freedom of speech. SVETLANA (thoughtfully) Do we? INT. USOV’S HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM, NIGHT Svetlana is sitting on the bed while looking at her notebook. On the page is the same circled note ’Yasny’s military unit’. SVETLANA (speaks to herself) Damn them all! But I can’t leave it like that! I’m sorry, guys... Svetlana takes her mobile phone, switches off the light and leaves the room.

REPORTAGE

23. EXT. STREET, NIGHT The street is empty and quiet. Svetlana is walking stealthily and watching out for other people. There is the sound of steps and we can see that there is a light approaching. Svetlana hides behind a tree. Two Guards with electric torches meet in the middle of the road. GUARD #1 Did you see something? GUARD #2 No. We should keep looking. He shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be far away. As they disappear from view Svetlana comes out. She continues to walk. EXT. THE ABANDONED PART OF YASNY, NIGHT Svetlana comes up to the barbed wire that surrounds the military unit. She searches for the gap in the wire. She uses her mobile phone to light the place. She finds the gap and squeezes through it. INT. THE ABANDONED PART OF YASNY, NIGHT Svetlana walks across the training ground towards the main building. She looks at its destroyed walls. She steps on something that cracks. Svetlana looks down and sees pieces of shattered glass. She continues to walk even more cautiously. She lights the way and looks around. There is some noise, like something is being moved. Svetlana turns sharply in the direction of the noise. She finds her way through ruined fragments of the wall. She reaches the door and enters the building. INT. MILITARY UNIT MAIN BUILDING, NIGHT Svetlana walks carefully, turning her head around occasionally. The noise repeats. Now it is more distinct. Someone is coughing. (CONTINUED)

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

24.

Svetlana continues to carefully move forward. She hears some steps as someone approaches. Semyon comes out with a torch in his hand. SVETLANA (puzzled) You? Wait! What are you doing here? How did you...? SEMYON (looks intently at Svetlana) I have some tricks of my own. Let’s say I was prepared for them to come after me. How did you come here? Your hosts don’t know you’re here, do they? SVETLANA They don’t. They don’t tell me anything. Nobody does. SEMYON (laughs) Haha! I can help with this for sure! SVETLANA (confused) I don’t understand... what you... SEMYON (interrupts her) Follow me! They both disappear inside the building. INT. MILITARY UNIT MAIN BUILDING - ROOM, NIGHT Svetlana and Semyon enter the room. There is a lamp in the corner that dimly lights the room. There is also a sofa by the wall. Some bookshelves stand by the wall, all filled with books and folders. There is a projector on the other side of the room. Svetlana looks at the sofa. On the floor next to it is some canned food on a piece of paper. SVETLANA Do you now live here? What if they find you? (CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

25. SEMYON Shhh. Just tell me, how much do you know about this place? SVETLANA (tries to focus) Yasny was founded 20 years ago after the USSR was dissolved. Now it is a community that... SEMYON (interrupts her) I already guessed what they told you. You’re not working for them, are you? It doesn’t look like you are. Here, I’d better show you.

Semyon comes up to the projector and turns it on. The film starts by showing men in military uniforms. SVETLANA Wait! I’ve seen these men in the photo in Yasny’s museum... SEMYON (annoyed) Shhhh! Svetlana looks back at the wall where the film is being projected. She sees the men giving orders to soldiers. Then we see the square by the administration building, where Lenin’s statue is erected. A car arrives at the square. A few people in suits get out of the car. In the next shot people on the square are protesting against the men in military uniforms. Soldiers are trying to hold back the crowd. Protesters try to threaten the military but then soldiers start shooting. Panic erupts. Someone falls to the ground, others run and some still try to fight. The next scene starts with an explosion at the military unit. Some people jump out of the building. Some of them are bleeding and some are crawling on all fours. In the last sequence of the film the military unit is being fenced off from the rest of the town. It shows how people are forced into houses. Some soldiers patrol the streets. They drag out and arrest those who resist. The film ends. SVETLANA (confused) (MORE) (CONTINUED) 25

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

26. SVETLANA (cont’d) But this is madness! You say that this happened in 1992? It looks more like Stalin’s repression. SEMYON (grins) Believe it or not it’s true. In 1992 the military didn’t want to give up their power to anyone. They liked to rule... by all measures. They reported to the Government that no one died. That it was a small rebellion. But it’s a lie. Come with me.

Semyon takes some folders and leaves the room. Svetlana follows him. INT. THE ABANDONED PART OF YASNY, NIGHT Semyon goes to the area of the military unit that borders the woods. He shows Svetlana the woods. SEMYON Yasny is surrounded by wild woods. It’s quite convenient for some purposes. Like hiding bodies. Svetlana looks at the woods, completely in shock. SVETLANA How do you know? It... SEMYON Should I give you a spade? Why do you think they don’t let anyone in here? Everybody keeps quiet because their family members have been taken as hostages. Now, take this. The film, documents, photos. My friend stole some things from their offices. The rest I found myself. Top secret. Leave Yasny and show the truth. Svetlana takes everything in her hands. SVETLANA I will. It’s my duty.

(CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

27. SEMYON Good. But be careful. SVETLANA Wait! What about you? Are you staying here, hiding? They’re searching for you! What if they come after you here? SEMYON I need to find another hideout. Or they’ll find me. Maybe later I’ll return. You should leave as soon as possible. But you should know who to trust. They are more powerful than you think.

INT. USOV’S HOUSE - GUEST BEDROOM, NIGHT Svetlana sits on the bed as she holds a big folder in her hands. The door opens and Vladimir comes in. VLADIMIR (worried) Sveta, why did you send me a message so late? What happened? SVETLANA (excited) We have to leave Yasny. I have here proof that Yasny’s authorities silenced the townspeople. They killed people! Trust me. We’ll leave tomorrow without raising any suspicion. VLADIMIR Calm down. I believe what you say, Svetlana. I always do. We’ll leave after breakfast. Svetlana nods and hugs Vladimir to calm down. INT. USOV’S HOUSE - DINING ROOM, DAY Vladimir, George, Svetlana, General Usov and Maria are having breakfast. Svetlana looks at Vladimir. He gives her a reassuring look. Suddenly Svetlana turns pale and tenses up. From Svetlana’s POV we see how everything becomes blurred. She blacks out.

Leyla Garaeva

28. INT. SMALL ROOM, NIGHT Svetlana slowly opens her eyes. She is handcuffed to a chair. The room is poorly lit and there are no windows. Svetlana tries to focus and looks around the room. There is nothing in the room except for a small bulb hanging from the ceiling and another chair. The door opens and Svetlana turns her head towards it. General Usov enters. USOV Did you ever hear, Svetlana, that curiosity killed the cat? It’s not a saying, it’s real life. SVETLANA (loudly) You drugged me? What about George and Vladimir? USOV (laughs) I wonder how a provincial girl like you survived in Moscow. They betrayed you. Long ago. SVETLANA Was it George? I don’t understand. Did you bribe them? Or did you blackmail them? Svetlana looks very angry. She shows contempt for Usov. USOV (interrupts her) You see, this project of yours was commissioned a long time ago. Your colleagues work for us as well. Everyone is informed. Well, except for you. It’s not an accident that you’re here. You were chosen for your ideas. You were invited. We’ve asked for your opinion on communities and politics of the Soviet era. Alexander said that you sympathized with us. Now you want to take the evidence and run with it. That’s not good. Svetlana sits with her head down. It looks like she is having a breakdown. (CONTINUED)

REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

29. USOV I had to confiscate the documents. Good news is that you can have a job as our personal journalist. You’ll represent us to Russia. (after a pause) There’s someone who wants to see you.

Svetlana lifts her head to look at him. The door opens and Vladimir comes in. He kneels in front of Svetlana. VLADIMIR Sveta, please. There’s a choice. You can stay in Yasny. To become part of it. Or you’ll be killed. SVETLANA (astonished) You? Why did you do this? Why are you with them? I thought I knew you for so long. I could believe George being a traitor. But you... VLADIMIR It was my decision to bring you here, Sveta. I knew you would fit well with your ideas and... You’ll be able to inspire with your articles. You have to be with us, be our mediator. Svetlana looks at him with her lips pursed. There is distrust and confusion in her eyes. Vladimir is smiling at her with hope in his eyes. SVETLANA So now I have to become one of you? VLADIMIR We’ll protect you. After some time when you prove to us that you can be trusted, we’ll let you visit your family. Svetlana, we can change Russia. We’ll make it perfect. Don’t you see that what is happening in Russia now is not right? You wrote about this in your articles. Democracy doesn’t work. Russia is in decay. Svetlana gives him a pained look. Vladimir glances at her with pity. (CONTINUED) 29

Leyla Garaeva

CONTINUED:

30. SVETLANA Will there be justice in such a world? Earned by the blood of many? What about people’s freedom? VLADIMIR (frowns) Freedom? Not everybody has high enough morals to use it in a proper way. USOV I’m sorry, Svetlana. You need to make a choice now. What is your answer?

Svetlana raises her head to look at him. Vladimir looks intently at Svetlana. INT. LIVING ROOM IN A HOUSE, DAY SUBTITLE: ’One year later.’ A room is furnished cozily with a sofa, bookshelves and a small table. There is a framed photo on the wall. It shows Svetlana and Alexander getting married. INT. MILITARY UNIT MAIN BUILDING - ROOM, NIGHT Semyon is sitting on the sofa, reading a book. He seems to be concentrating hard as he turns the pages. He hears footsteps and looks at the door. Svetlana slowly enters the room and comes into the light. SEMYON You? I thought you were dead. SVETLANA I thought you died. It took me a while to find you. We came here to fight for the truth.

We?

SEMYON (surprised)

(CONTINUED) REPORTAGE

CONTINUED:

31.

Svetlana moves from the doorstep. Other people enter the room. There are about twenty people including Maria, Alexander and Anastasya. Semyon looks at them carefully with his eyebrows raised. SEMYON Well, we have quite a group here. But the evidence... Svetlana takes out a folder from her bag. SEMYON These documents... How did you? SVETLANA They didn’t find everything. It took me a while to gain their trust. Meet General Usov’s personal journalist. SEMYON My God... You’re playing a dangerous game. Svetlana grins wryly as she looks at him. SVETLANA I’m not afraid. The scariest thing is to imagine how they continue to kill people to hold power. We don’t need their perfect world. Svetlana gazes at Semyon with fierce determination. He starts to laugh. The others are looking at them. FADE OUT.

THE END

Leyla Garaeva