Screenplay
EXT. STREET MARKET - DAY MIKHAIL dressed in informal morning wear walks through an outdoor marketplace, marketplace along a long dirt road surrounded by high castle walls. Food, craft, clothes and entertainment booths surround the scenery Mikhail looks for clothes and speaks with vendors, many of the public double take at the sight of him. MIKHAIL (stops at clothing booth) Morning sir. SHOPKEEP My lord. How might I assist you this lovely morning? MIKHAIL I am in need of new garments on this occasion, where do you keep your finest threads? SHOPKEEP Here, my lord, safely stored in my cart.(gets clothes from cart) Mikhail looks through the clothing and is approached by a juggling man who tries to sell him apples. SALESMAN Any apples for you today sir? Nice ripe apples! MIKHAIL 1 apple sir. Thank you. Mikhail looks past salesman and meets eyes with RESNA who greets him with a look of distaste. Their gaze is broken when FUDOR, Mikhail’s servant arrives from behind Mikhail and gets his attention. FUDOR My Lord. Good news, a designer has been found to fit you for the party, come with me to your quarters. MIKHAIL (looks but up but Resna is gone.Motions towards shopkeep) This gentlemen was going to fit me with materials from his private stock, is a designer necessary? (CONTINUED)
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SHOPKEEP My materials are the finest around I can assure you. FUDOR These garments aren’t fit for a decorated warrior such as yourself. Come, follow me. Fudor and Mikhail exit to Mikhail’s apartment. TAILOR (while taking measurments) What color will suit you for this evening, sir? MIKHAIL Green or Red sir, something that catches the eye. FUDOR Green suits you well sir, for who’s eyes are you drawing attention to yourself? TAILOR Plan on being the life of the party sir? MIKHAIL Hoping to see someone, hoping they see me. FUDOR Who ever had your attention in the market today possibly? TAILOR There’s many distractions at the market, that is why you are wise for doing your shopping with me in peace.(hands Mikhail green silk suit) Mikhail leaves to try on suit. FUDOR He insists on shopping amongst the commoners on those dirty streets. TAILOR Likes to see be with those he’s protected I suppose. (CONTINUED)
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Mikhail returns. MIKHAIL This will do, thank you sir. TAILOR The pleasure was mind, my lord. FUDOR Good day to you. Mikhail and Fudor exit. ON THE HALLWAY OF MIKHAIL’S HOUSE MIKHAIL (Scratching his head) That wasn’t really necessary FUDOR. FUDOR Sir you are the face of your family and having rags from the commons isn’t going to look any better than one of them. MIKHAIL My face is just as handsome as they are FUDOR (Face palm) Alright sir now go to sleep. We have early schedules for tomorrow. Mikhail enters his room in the hallway and scene fades as Fudor closes the door. MORNING INSIDE THE DINING ROOM FUDOR Good morning sir. How are you today? Mikhail enters the room in a grouchy mood. MIKHAIL Fudor, I actually saw a beautiful lady yesterday and...
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FUDOR (cutting Mikhail’s dialogue) Sir you have to get ready to join the party tonight. MIKHAIL (looking unimpressed) I know but you have to listen to me fir... FUDOR (cutting Mikhail’s dialogue again) Follow me to the open hall to review on how to dance. One of our leading dancers are here to help you for tonight. Mikhail follows Fudor silently looking unsatisfied. OPEN HALL: IN A LARGE ROOM WITH LARGE WINDOWS AND RED CARPET. THERE ARE LOTS OF SUNLIGHT COMING THROUGH THE WINDOWS. DANCER Sir, step after me. MIKHAIL I certainly will do, but before I do that. Can you do something with those pants? Mikhail points at the Dancer’s spandex pants showing men’s genitals quite embarrassingly. DANCER That has nothing to do with our dance sir MIKHAIL I can’t help it. It is so disturbing! Dancer grabs Mikhail’s hand and runs into the large hall. THE MOTION OF DANCER PULLING MIKHAIL’S HAND TRANSITIONS INTO THE SCENE OF A LARGE HALL OF THE PARTY. A WOMAN WITH A DRESS PULLS A RANDOM MANS HAND INTO THE PARTY WHICH LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS SCENE
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LOUD PARTY HALL Mikhail is talking with random guest in a big smile. MIKHAIL Yes! That is absolutely dumbfounding! I would rather jump into a lake than doing that! Hahaha! LADY1 And that is not all. What really... Lady1 gets pulled over by her fiance, before she finishes talking. LADY1 You might have to excuse me for now. Thank you for soothing my boredom. MIKHAIL (bowing) My pleasure. Mikhail looks up and takes a look around the party. He then sighs and takes a drink of wine by his side. He finds Resna talking with other people. When Resna and Mikhail’s eyes match, Mikhail looks away first. Then he glances at her again. GENTLEMAN1 Greetings sir, my name is Avonda Bekroun. I noticed you live in a very close in the neighborhood MIKHAIL (still glancing at Resna but eventually turns away to the man) Oh yes, yes! I remember you sir Bekroun. Although we live so close, that would be a very long walk GENTLEMAN1 Right, but a very short one by horse MIKHAIL (looks little disgusted) Very true, but in fact, I never enjoyed riding on them before.
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GENTLEMAN1 (laughing) You will get use to it sir. It only takes two or three days! MIKHAIL (glancing at Resna) Very well, I will try that later as you advise. GENTLEMAN1 Is there something bothering you sir? MIKHAIL (surprised) No, no. I am fine, but you will have to excuse me for now. I suppose these drinks are too tempting to stop. GENTLEMAN1 I will see you soon then. Enjoy your party sir. MIKHAEL (turns his back) Thank you Mikhael walks quickly towards the bathroom where people start to get less populated. Then he turns the corner to the bathroom. The bathroom door closes. After a while, the door opens with Mikhail’s face very relieved. He tries to turn the corner towards the party but a random arm comes into the scene and he gets pulled over. BALCONY Mikhail is pulled over to the handles of the balcony. Resna is blocking the entrance while staring down at Mikhail. MIKHAIL (while making a questioning hand gesture) What was that for! RESNA (Hands on hips) What was that for? I have taken your hands for a little discussion.
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MIKHAIL What is it? RESNA I find the focus of your wandering eyes fairly questionable. MIKHAIL Shall I keep it shut throughout the party? Will that suffice? RESNA (stepping closer to Mikhail chest to chest and speaks in a slightly furious tone) How is that you cannot look at me when I am this close to you but match my eyes when I am at such a distance? MIKHAIL (looking away and stepping back) I assure you that it is pure coincidence. RESNA (evil smile and crossed arms) I see. This coincidence, so strong that it happened in the market as well. Mikhail looks to the side to look for help. RESNA By the way, what were you doing in the marketplace? MIKHAIL I was looking for something to wear. RESNA (dumbfounded) In the marketplace? Have you bought clothes from the peasants to wear in a noble party? MIKHAIL Is there a problem?
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RESNA A problem? I have thought you as a nobleman. MIKHAIL I am Mikhail Barthez of France. RESNA And you are living like a peasant. Mikhail glares into Resna’s eyes. Resna is a bit scared. RESNA You have admitted you are no better than those scumbags down the streets. MIKHAIL (he is outraged by Resna and talks in a very serious tone. He walks into Resna and talks while looking her in the eyes) Look young lady, you can degrade me all you want. But I will never let you insult my people in front of me again. Do you comprehend? RESNA (in a shaky voice) Yes. Mikhail tries to soothe his anger by turning away from Resna and looks at the woods out the balcony. Resna is smiling behind Mikhail and takes a spot next to Mikhail. RESNA My apologies sir Barthez. I have no means to offend you in any sort. I was in pure interest of who you are. MIKHAIL Then you have it all. My people are my treasure. They are everything. RESNA (hesitating) I would like to confess one of my secrets if you allow me to do so. MIKHAIL (looking by the side of the eye) (MORE) (CONTINUED)
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MIKHAIL (cont’d) Please speak. RESNA (speaking while looking down towards the woods) I was born in a family that molded metals. My father was a blacksmith and my mother was a tailor. MIKHAIL (he turned his whole body towards Resna with widely opened eyes) How is that possible? REMINISCENCE: IN BEKROUN’S CASTLE Mistress Bekroun is crying in a chair next to a bed with a small corpse covered with a white blanket. Father Bekroun is standing next to her while having one hand on her shoulder. RESNA (continues to tell her story by her adult voice but in the scene, she is a 5 year old child) I was adopted by the mistress of Bekroun who had recently lost her beloved daughter. Her sorrow was so deep that she would not have a day without tears. SCENE FADES AND MOVES INTO THE MARKETPLACE Extremely depressed Mistress Bekroun is walking in the marketplace and finds a young girl (Resna) run past her. She instantly turns around and follows Resna to her house. SCENE FADES AND MOVES INTO RESNA’S HOUSE MISTRESS (showing hand to Resna) Oh dear Abriel, why are you here? You must follow me back home. RESNA (5 year old Resna) My name is Resna not Abriel.
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MISTRESS Oh for god sakes Abriel, please don’t be a clown. RESNA’S MOTHER Madam Bekroun, she is my daughter Resna. Can you not recognize her? Father Bekroun enters the house. FATHER BEKROUN My apologies. May I talk with the father of this young girl? Resna’s father comes out of a room. RESNA’S FATHER What issue concerns you my lord? FATHER BEKROUN I would like to adopt your daughter from today. Resna’s parents look at each other. They look very concerned. FATHER BEKROUN I promise that she will grow up to be a noble woman and I will give her all the priorities of a woman in our family. RESNA’S FATHER (hesitates and speaks very carefully hugging Resna) Please handle her with care then I would have no worries about my daughter. FATHER BEKROUN I am a nobleman of my words. I will promise you that there will be no days that you will ever have to be worried again. THE SCENE STARTS TO FADE WITH THE MISTRESS HOLDING RESNA’S HANDS WHILE WALKING BACK TO THE CASTLE.
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BALCONY RESNA The mistress died after a month of an unknown illness and I grew up with my step-father like any other noblemen. MIKHAIL Resna Bekroun... What a beautiful name you have. RESNA (smiles and walks towards the entrance of the balcony) Thank you. And enough with these sensitive stories of the past. We are here to enjoy the party. Resna turns around gracefully and pulls out her right hand while her left hand is holding an edge of her dress. Mikhail looks at her with confusion. RESNA (throws her hands down with disappointment) Its already a shame that a lady asks a man to dance first. MIKHAIL (holding his right hand out and bowing half-way) My apologies. May I have the honor to dance with you tonight? RESNA (holds Mikhail’s hand and pulls him towards the ball room joyfully) My pleasure! BALL ROOM Mikhail and Resna dance joyfully in the ball room. Some people of the crowd are watching them dance while 3 couples dance along them. After a while, the lights of the ball room dim and the couples dance slower into a romantic mood. Resna and Mikhail dance slowly. Mikhail still cannot look into Resna’s eyes for a long time. Resna roughly adjusts Mikhail’s face with (CONTINUED)
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her two hands to make him look at her. Then they both smile at each other. THE SCREEN FADES AND OPENS BACK AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR OF THE PARTY CASTLE WITH RESNA AND MIKHAIL FACING EACH OTHER. ENTRANCE OF PARTY CASTLE Resna and Mikhail are standing next to each other but not looking at one another. Resna steps ahead and stands in front of Mikhail. Mikhail looks at Resna surprised. RESNA (looking up at Mikhail and smiling) Now that we know each others name, this may not be the last time we meet other right? MIKHAIL I will not let it be. FATHER BEKROUN (ALSO GENTLEMAN 1) (from outside the gates) Come on Resna. I can’t wait much longer. RESNA (shouts to her father and then whisper to Mikhail) Alright father, I’m going! See you again Mikhail Resna and Mikhail wave at each other while Resna leaves the castle first. Mikhail turns around and walks into the hallway with Fudor who was waiting behind him. AS THE TWO MEN WALK, THE SCENE FADES MIKHAIL’S CASTLE FRONT Mikhail and Fudor are having practice sword battles. Mikhail is using a short sword and a big round shield. Fudor is using a long two-handed broadsword. Fudor makes a big look around his waist and swings heavily into Mikhail. Mikhail uses his short sword to slip the large sword away from his body and he dashes into Fudor.
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Fudor steps back and swings his broadsword to block incoming attacks of Mikhail. Then Fudor aims for a counter attack through a rotary motion of his body. Mikhail blocks with his shield and pushes the sword away to make a chance to attack Fudor. Fudor jumps with his heavy sword and hides his body behind it to block Mikhail’s swing of his short sword. Then Resna appears in a man-like clothing from the road that connects to the gates of the castle. RESNA (shouting out loud) Is that all you men got? MIKHAIL (stopping his practice) Good day to you Resna? How are you? RESNA Very well thank you. I would like to borrow a sword if you allow me to do so. MIKHAIL (clapping his hand) Shundy! Bring this young lady a sword. A young servant (15) runs to a collection of swords in a forge and brings a light and short sword. The sword is almost a size of a dirk. SERVANT 1 (SHUNDY) (bringing the sword) Here is your sword madam. RESNA (refusing to accept) No. I need a bigger one like that (pointing at Fudor’s sword) All the men (militia practicing next to Mikhail and Fudor) were surprised to see a woman use such a large sword. Shundy brings her the sword and Resna swings it and mounts it on her shoulder. RESNA Now I need someone to play sword fight.
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14. MIKHAIL Fudor! Go give her a challenge. RESNA Coward. MIKHAIL (coughing) Wise.
Resna and Fudor stand to each other. The take a bow and get ready in battle stance. They both move in circles and finally, Fudor swings in first. Fudor swings his sword vertically from top to bottom. Resna mounts her sword on her shoulder and moves swiftly to the left to dodge the strike. Fudor picks his sword up and swings it by rotating his body 360 degrees. Resna blocks the sword but is pushed by her light weight. She makes a light feminine grunt and pushes Fudor’s sword away from her body. Then, she moves forward to Fudor. Fudor raises his sword for another vertical swing. He strikes it down but Resna aligns her sword diagonally to slide Fudor’s sword down to the side and strikes Fudor on the side with the thick portion of the sword. Fudor flies in midair and lands on his belly. All the men clap at Resna. Fudor is furious but he hides his feelings by staying down on the ground. He later stands up and claps with the crowd. Suddenly, Resna points her sword at Mikhail. MIKHAIL (shrugging) Alright, I guess its my turn RESNA I’ve been waiting for you Mikhail you coward! Resna runs toward Mikhail and strikes her sword vertically. Mikhail blocks it with his sword but is pushed down by the weight of the sword. Resna bounces her sword from Mikhail and swings by using a rotary motion (360). Mikhail uses his short sword to slide the broadsword into another direction. Resna moves back and swings her sword horizontally from the top of her shoulders. Mikhail dodges it by ducking. Resna continues her combination and swings a 360 to strike Mikhail. Mikhail uses his sword to strike the sword down during the swing. (CONTINUED)
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Resna steps back. RESNA What is that big shield for? You are defending with your sword not with your shield. MIKHAIL Oh this? I’ll show you Mikhail stands low on the ground and provokes Resna to come attack. Resna again jumps towards Mikhail and swings vertically down. Mikhail uses his sword to slide off the broadsword and suddenly charges into Resna. He bashes her in a sudden movement. Resna swings back her sword to regain balance. But Mikhail is still on his counter attack. He attacks with his short sword vertically and Resna blocks it by raising her sword horizontally. Mikhail ducks after the block and swipes Resna’s legs with his shield. Resna falls down with a shriek and lies down on the ground. RESNA (out of breath) What are you! MIKHAIL I have learned how to fight on my own. I couldn’t learn how to fight from other men. The swords were too hefty for me. And I’m also not a confident rider. Horses kick me off all the time. RESNA But you are a fighter aren’t you? MIKHAIL Be glad to become one. Mikhail raises Resna up and walks into the castle with her. They walk very close to each other and are enjoying their discussion joyfully as they walk. Behind stands Fudor in a furious mood. He is very angry and walks away from the castle.
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INSIDE MIKHAIL’S DINING ROOM Resna and Mikhail are redressed. They are having dinner together. A very soft and classical music plays while they are eating together. The scene is played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES OUT ON THE PLAINS WITH A FEW TREES Resna and Mikhail sitting together under a tree. Resna’s head is on Mikhail’s shoulder and Mikhail seems to be singing a song but cannot hear because the classical music continues to play over the scenes. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES IN A DARK ROYAL COURT A fat king (Charles the Fat) is sitting on the King’s chair. Fudor is next to him talking very desperately and passionately about something serious. The background music changes to a violent violin stream while in this scene. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE: ARCHERY COURT Resna and Mikhail are shooting arrows together. Mikhail helps Resna shoot an arrow. Resna is happy and aims it in the center of the aim. Then Mikhail shoots his arrow. The arrow flies over the fence. Resna is laughing at Mikhail and Mikhail looks down on the ground. Resna raises his face with her two hands and looks into his eyes. Mikhail smiles at her. The music is changed to the original classical music. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES IN A DARK ROYAL COURT The camera is closer to the two beings, Charles the fat and Fudor. Fudor raises one hand and closes to the Kings ears and whispers something. Then the king smiles in a very evil grin and looks back at Fudor. Fudor smiles back with an evil grin as well. The violent violin music cuts in again at this scene. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed.
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THE SCREEN FADES IN FRONT OF MIKHAIL’S CASTLE Resna and Mikhail are having a wedding. Common people from the marketplace came over to celebrate their wedding. The ceremony looks quite inofficial and is very joyful. People are dancing, feasting, drinking, and singing. Mikhail lifts Resna with his arms and carries her into the castle. The original classical music plays. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES IN THE DARK ROYAL COURT Fudor is looking up and laughing very violently. He has his hands upon his shoulders and laughing with his whole body violently moving. The violin music kicks in. The scene is also played in 0.7 play speed. THE SCREEN FADES IN MIKHAIL’S ROOM Resna is sitting on the bed with her pregnant belly (about 5~6 months). RESNA What are you going to name our baby? MIKHAIL Edward if he’s a boy and Emma if she is a girl. RESNA (lauging silently) Funny names. MIKHAIL (blushing) I’m serious! Suddenly the whole castle vibrates violently as if an earthquake hit the place. RESNA What is going on?
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MIKHAIL I don’t know! Servant1(Shundy) runs into the room without knocking and shouts. SERVANT 1 (SHUNDY) We are under attack sir! We must evacuate immediately! Resna and Mikhail run out of the room and evacuate immediately. Resna delays the whole group of people because she is pregnant and she cannot walk so fast HALLWAY OF CASTLE The bricks and stones start falling off and the hallway behind of the moving group falls apart. Resna and Mikhail look back and finds Shundy getting colapsed by the stones. They are shocked and sad but they had to move out of the castle first. Resna does not cry and tries her best to not grab anyone’s ankle. OUTSIDE THE CASTLE The group of people rush out of the castle and find the whole village and castle broken down and set on fire. Mikhail, Resna, servants, militia, and peasants rush into the nearby forest. Suddenly, a troop of chivalry raids from behind killing herds of people. It is a complete slaughter. Armymen were killing people who were defenseless. Next, a shower of arrows fall from behind into the forest. People are crying, shrieking, and dying. The situation is in a quagmire. Mikhail blocks arrows for Resna with his shield. Resna is growing tired and starts to move really slow.