Boxer (2024) Movie Script
1
BOXER
This film is inspired
by the lives of many people
who fled from communist Poland
to chase their dreams.
This story could have been real.
BYTOM, POLAND
Damn.
I wish I knew how to describe it.
What I felt when I returned here
after all these years.
Old boxing gloves soaked in sweat.
The ring I had covered in blood
so many times.
It was a long time ago.
Long before...
I fucked everything up.
For this story to make sense,
first I need to tell you about my father.
What should I start with?
That he had a heavy hand?
That he was a nitpicker?
No.
I'll start with the moment
when I last saw my father...
happy.
-Get up!
-It's all good. Look!
-What a fucking blow. I'm good.
-One! Two!
-Dad's pretending!
-Three! Four!
You good?
Dad's pretending. Now watch. Now slowly...
Box!
Good!
He hits like a truck!
Let him get tired!
Now! Go!
Punch him!
Yes! Do it!
Dad hit him!
-Six! Seven!
-Edwin!
Ten!
Yes!
-I love you...
-The Olympics!
Go! Good! Left, right!
Just like I showed you!
Edek. I'll hang the photo here.
Under the diploma? That's good. Cool.
Come on. Left, right.
Come on. One, two!
What? Are you not strong enough? Harder!
Knockout! Look!
You'll be the champion of Poland, right?
You'll be the champ.
The champion of Poland.
Man, we'll beat them all!
I'm not even...
Look at that!
When I was driving here,
I thought I'd find one boxer,
and I've found two.
And what boxers!
You'll be the champion of Poland one day,
like your dad?
I'll be the world champion.
World...
In that case,
I need to ask you for an autograph.
When you're a star,
I'll be able to watch you only on TV.
-Would you be so kind?
-Yes.
Thank you very much. Good. How beautiful.
I'll frame it.
It's yours.
Thank you.
World champions give many autographs.
How may I help you, sir?
We came to congratulate you.
In private.
If we may.
Make yourselves at home.
-Czechu.
-Yeah.
In the ring he'll do exactly what you say.
Gentlemen, it's a complete symbiosis.
Like in Poland.
Gentlemen, good luck at the Olympic Games.
-Assholes from Warsaw!
-Czesiek!
The Olympics come first. It's your dream!
Man, work isn't important.
Family comes first, Czesiek.
Fuck you, princess.
Give me that.
That was the last time
my father set foot in Czesiek's club.
Again...
Come on.
Father fought the Russkies
at the Olympics.
Come on, show him!
Fought and lost.
Again!
Lost his career.
He became a shadow of his former self.
-Boxing.
-Fight me!
-Czesiek.
-Go on!
His club.
Watch out! Jdrzej Czernecki! Knockout!
Gone with the wind.
-I'm sorry, Dad.
-Sit there.
Sit your ass.
You have to study, you understand?
You have to fucking study. Understand?
But I know this.
Yeah? I'll give you... You know this?
Then you study the next chapter...
Then he started working in the mine.
...and you'll take the next one!
And buried me under a pile of books.
Studying.
That was all he cared about.
And I didn't.
Who knows what are
the three stages of cellular respiration?
Maybe Czernecki?
The stages of cellular respiration.
Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle,
and oxidative phosphorylation.
That answer is correct.
Phosphorylation comprises chemiosmosis
and the electron transport chain.
That's enough.
The released energy
creates a proton gradient which...
Sit down!
-Uncle?
-Jdrula.
Hop in.
Happy birthday, kiddo. Cheers to you.
What happened to you?
Too much studying.
Christ.
Show me your hand.
Gabi is a nurse.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I don't have time for that.
Rightly so.
Women are expensive to maintain.
You have to feed and water them.
And let them off the leash
twice a day for sex.
-Czesiek!
-You're right.
You can keep them on the leash
all the time.
Czesiek!
For a Geburtstag,
there needs to be a Geschenk.
Thank you.
Just don't get chocolate on the paper.
Beast.
And don't let your dad find it.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
I loved spending time with Uncle.
Unfortunately,
not everyone was happy about it.
Who gave it to you?
A friend at school.
A fucking friend? Where did you get this?
Edek! What are you doing to our son?
I've told you
that your fucking brother has to keep...
away from us. Have I not told you?
-Where are you going?
-To end this.
Dad!
You're staying.
I'll talk to you when I get back.
Dad!
Edek, wait.
Easy. Breathe.
I couldn't shake the thought
that whatever was happening to my father...
Take a breath. Easy.
...was entirely my fault.
One more time. Let it out. Breathe.
I didn't learn from textbooks
that Father's lungs
turned into a dirty, worn out sponge.
That day I convinced myself
that Father would get better.
I just had to do everything
he required of me.
The student with the highest GPA
in the whole year is
Jdrzej Czernecki.
I had never run home so fast.
I wanted to show him my grades,
so that he'd finally be proud of me.
EDWIN CZERNECKI'S LOST GOLD
EDWIN CZERNECKI'S DEFEAIt's okay.
It's okay.
After Father's death,
I didn't feel like studying.
I thought you wouldn't come today.
I wanted to forget.
Why?
I wanted life to be fair.
I thought the funeral was today.
-I feel for you.
-Shut up.
-What?
-Don't talk about my father.
-My dad said...
-Shut the hell up!
But most of all,
I wanted to fuck someone up.
Don't talk about my father!
Fuck! He wasn't a good man!
Let's fuck off.
I see you want to punch someone.
Are you deaf, princess?
Do you want to fight? Huh?
Then fight.
That's all you got?
Fight!
-Fight!
-Fuck!
Fight!
Now! Fight!
Czesiek, that's enough!
Schwester, trust me.
Fight!
You gonna cry, princess?
If you want to punch someone,
learn how to do it properly.
With your whole body!
Hide your chin! Yes!
Like a bull!
Dance!
Dance on the grave of every shithead
that stands in your way.
Fight! Drop your chin!
Enjoy! Live! Fight!
Jdrula...
you're ready.
Stop!
From the left!
I guess I wasn't ready.
POLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
No! Move that skinny ass!
Get up!
Darek!
Czernecki fell as if struck by lightning.
But let's not be cruel.
It's his first Polish championship.
So what if he got beaten like a girl
in front of thousands...
Seven.
Eight. You'll keep fighting? Okay.
Box!
End this already!
What a sequence of terribly strong blows.
Czernecki takes them all.
He's barely hanging on.
Stop!
Fortunately, the referee stops the round,
saving Czernecki.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I don't think Czernecki has inherited
his father's brilliant talent,
God rest his soul.
That was...
Great round. Everything's fine.
All's well, according to plan.
You've got him under control.
Jdrula.
Have you seen the boobs
of the woman in the first row?
-Where?
-There.
The announcer, Olympic champion Jurek,
does he have a mustache, or is he bald?
-No...
-What are you gawking at?
At the crowd!
And your opponent does whatever he wants!
Stop.
Czernecki's coach is trying to finish
what his opponent started.
Fucking stop!
-Stop, for fuck's sake!
-Or what?
-You gonna cry? Princess?
-Fuck!
I thought you came here to beat someone.
You're getting your ass whipped
like a pussy.
What? I'm a fucking pussy?
-Do you want to beat someone?
-Fuck yes!
-Then beat him!
-Let me at him! Fuck!
It seems like Czernecki
got a boost of strength.
Stop! Corner!
Knockout! Unbelievable!
Unbelievable!
Jdrzej Czernecki
is the champion of Poland!
Next step, the European championship
in London!
Well done, Jdru! Well done, Jdrula!
Yes!
Medals are being handed out
by the president
of the Polish Boxing Association,
comrade Konstanty Zalewski.
Bravo.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Congratulations.
To the future Olympic champion.
Our boy fought like a beast tonight.
-He can lose it all, like his father...
-Quiet!
What? Kid, don't take it personally.
No offense.
This year, there are many good boxers.
You're wasted again.
What are you, a teetotaler?
Czesiu...
I went to the Olympics twice.
And I won gold twice. Where did it get me?
I'm announcing some shit tournaments.
-Fuck.
-What have you done?
And you?
Just like his daddy!
Hi.
What are you reading?
A book.
That I've noticed.
Is it good?
FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Maybe in order to practice,
you'd like something organic to drink?
Vodka, I mean.
That was a joke?
-How was it?
-What do you think?
-What would you like?
-Some peace and quiet.
-And a drink?
-No.
One drink, and I'll dematerialize.
-Don't you understand the word "no"?
-No.
Nice talk.
Wait.
Wait a moment.
Ask me anything from this book.
Whatever you want.
If I don't answer,
I'll disappear right away.
-How generous.
-Yup.
I'll pay for dinner.
And a drink.
You clearly need one.
Name the three stages
of cellular respiration.
Pay the check at the bar and order...
Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle,
and oxidative phosphorylation.
Dumb luck.
What happened to you?
I accosted a girl at the bar,
and you know...
Nah. I had a fight.
The Polish championship.
-A fight?
-I won by knockout.
Congratulations.
Congratulations?
What?
-Nothing.
-What?
Well, what is boxing about?
What is boxing about?
Two brutes punching each other's faces.
-Yes.
-First one gets punched, then the other.
Rinse and repeat.
I don't know. It's boring.
I'd say that chemistry and boxing
have a lot in common.
Like what?
Both are super boring.
Then why do you box?
Why do you study chemistry?
-I asked first.
-I asked second.
I don't know.
There's something you don't know,
Mr. Boxer-Chemist?
You said you'd buy me wine.
I guess so.
Frania, give us wine, please.
The dusty one.
We promised each other we'd take it slow.
I wanted to win the Olympics,
Kasia wanted to get her degree.
Obviously, three weeks later,
we were already married.
Our honeymoon was like a dream.
It was warm.
Sunny.
We have the right to strike!
We met loads of fantastic people.
There was a buffet full of food.
And Thai massages.
We even started building a house.
Brick by brick.
It was perfect.
Don't kill yourself.
Jdrzej!
Come.
-Faster.
-Quiet.
Bag it.
-Women to work.
-Be quiet!
What?
-Someone will come.
-Quiet.
Hello? Who's there?
Quickly, take it!
I'll get you!
There they are!
-Marian!
-There!
Stop!
-Jurek, get them!
-There!
I didn't know then
that those were the best years of my life.
We didn't have money,
but we were madly in love.
Nothing could tear us apart.
Well,
except for death due to my stupidity.
It's going to look great.
Give me those bricks.
-Jesus, they're heavy.
-Careful.
I think we'll need more mortar.
Once it's finished,
we'll sit in it at night
and discuss important topics.
What do you think?
What?
The bricks.
They're cool.
What's up?
-Everything's fine.
-Everything's fine?
You can tell me if something's wrong.
I'm the champion of Poland,
and I have to steal bricks for my bathtub.
You know you can't get them anywhere.
I know.
I think we deserve more.
I mean, you deserve more.
I have a champion husband.
And our own apartment that he boxed for.
-Can it get better?
-It can.
See this? In what normal country
you can't buy Christmas ornaments?
But I love our Christmas tree.
And besides, I can't wait
to hang your Olympic medal on it.
Yeah. Then I'll announce fights
for the rest of my life.
Jesus. What is it, you grouch?
We have to leave Poland.
What?
We have to leave.
-Are you serious?
-Yes.
Very serious.
-But how?
-Normally.
I've got the university.
You've got the Olympics. And my parents...
Did Marie Curie win two Nobels
for sitting on her ass in Poland? No.
She went to France.
-So we should go to France?
-No! Not France. Better.
To England.
-England?
-The European championship is there.
You'd study at Cambridge
or, I don't know, Oxford.
University of London.
Exactly! You'd have a normal laboratory.
I'd go professional and earn millions!
Instead of... Yes!
And we'd wash our baby in a jacuzzi.
Not some bathtub made out of bricks.
Like proper people.
Where would our child go to school?
What do you mean? To the best school.
With beautiful, scented uniforms.
If it were a girl,
she'd have to learn horseback riding.
Cool, no problem.
We'd have a stable between the pool
and the garden maze.
You want our child
to get lost in the maze?
We'll make a second child.
Or a third, or a fourth.
We'll make a whole school.
THE BLACK
What are you doing? Focus.
What's going on with you today?
Uncle, I need to run away.
You're fucking with me. It's only 8 p.m.
No. In London, with Kasia.
We're not coming back.
Get out! You have a ten-minute break.
Chop, chop.
-Is this a joke?
-No.
So many years...
Man, I can taste the victory, and you...
You could be an Olympic champion.
And then what?
I'll announce fights like your friend?
What if I lose?
I'll work in the mine
for the rest of my life?
That's your problem.
No, come on.
-It's about your old man.
-No! It's about me.
About my life.
I want to earn like a professional.
You think your father didn't...
-Don't talk about him.
-He didn't lose.
Don't talk about him!
-But you don't know...
-Stop!
-He didn't lose...
-I said, "Stop"! Fuck!
I'm doing this with or without you.
He didn't lose.
Very pretty.
Do you still prefer a jacuzzi?
Then we've made a nice gift for someone.
-Do you have a plan?
-Yes.
We arrive at the hotel.
We wait until everyone's asleep, slip out,
and start searching for the legend.
-What?
-Brilliant.
What?
Are you sure you want to do this?
If you do this, it's a one-way ticket.
You'll never get in a ring
in Poland again.
They'll take away your medals and freedom.
They might even kill you.
And what about Kasia?
She won't have a degree.
Or a career.
Her friends won't say hi in the street.
Out of fear.
We're doing it.
-Jesus, your hand.
-No, it's fine.
Have you thought about her, Einstein?
How will you get her there? In a bag?
Don't you have friends who could help?
Maybe some guys
that smuggle crystals or fox furs?
Kasia is not a fox fur.
Jesus, I hate blood.
I know!
What?
I have an idea.
Do you have papers?
Okay.
I made an arrangement for Gabi
to go to the championship
to replace the team doctor's assistant.
-Congratulations.
-Please, shut the hell up.
Gabi is not going.
Kasia will go and pretend to be Gabi.
-But they're completely different.
-You don't say?
We've changed the photo.
But...
This letter says you're the new nurse.
Remember your birthdate.
What good is my birthdate?
I don't know anything about being a nurse.
Our friends from the Security Service
don't know either.
Show them the passport and the letter.
-And if they want something more?
-Kasia!
I don't know anything about medicines.
I don't know first aid.
What if somebody starts bleeding...
Get yourself together.
You both knew
this wouldn't be a walk in the park.
He does this to me every day.
If you feel like you can't do it,
you need to decide now.
She can do it. Can you do it?
Yes?
Help yourself.
Gabi, pack it up for them.
No! That's a lot of money.
It's nothing. It's enough for a start.
-No, come on, that's a lot...
-Don't mention it.
This is the address of a Pole
who lives there and will help you.
A friend of a friend
of a guy I once trained.
Kasia, you go first. We'll follow.
What, now?
-When do you think?
-I need to pee.
Holy smokes!
Fine, we'll go first, and you'll go after.
My...
Right... I already miss you. Left...
-Czesiek...
-My girls.
MILITIA
What's most important,
nobody can know that you know each other.
Trela, Czesaw.
Coach of the champion of Poland.
It checks out.
-Jdrzej Czernecki.
-I know.
Passport. For safekeeping.
We wouldn't want it to get lost.
Thanks.
Hi!
My friends from the Polish team.
Boxing champions in every weight class.
Most of these idiots
couldn't spell their own surname.
I think I'm in love.
Best in the nation.
Ass like a speed bag. Perfection.
But to the communists,
we were like a sexy ass in a tight dress.
There's a problem.
I don't see your name
on the passenger's list, citizen.
I'm a nurse.
I mean, I'm replacing a different nurse.
I mean, I'm also a nurse,
but the other one has the flu.
That's what they told me on the phone.
And I got this letter.
They told me to come here at 7 a.m.
Screw the tournament.
-I'm going to fuck this nurse.
-What?
What?
What? I mean, after I fuck her first.
Look at him, suddenly he's eager!
My mistake.
May I go?
Please exhale, citizen.
-Excuse me?
-Exhale.
You've been drinking.
-No...
-And it's not even 7 a.m.
-It's a syrup.
-Syrup?
You see, you don't look like a person
who likes to hit the bottle
in the morning.
That's why I'm going to ask only once.
What would you like to tell me, citizen?
I don't know if I should.
I'm afraid it'll come out anyway.
It will.
How long have you had
dark rings under the eyes?
Dark rings?
It looks to me like serious liver issues.
At an advanced stage.
I'd go to the doctor as fast as possible
if I were you.
As fast as possible.
Thank you.
Here she comes.
Gentlemen, be civil.
Greetings.
Good morning.
I'm Krzysiu.
-Hi.
-Hide your antenna.
Please, sit here.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
You're the substitute?
Let's go.
Goodbye, empty store shelves,
stolen bricks,
and Christmas trees without ornaments.
I was going to a country
where I'd finally be respected.
When we crossed the border,
I felt that Czesiek's club
was becoming a distant, faded memory.
I didn't cry over it.
The most important thing
was still ahead of me.
Hey! We're here, dude!
Wake up! We're in London!
...and he hands me a trocar.
I look at him and say,
"Why would I need a trocar
if the patient's alive?"
When will they let us out? I need to pee.
Again?
How far along?
Excuse me?
How far along are you?
Good question.
I only needed a minute in London
to understand why the Secret Service dogs
were watching us so closely...
Ferrari!
...why they had taken our passports
and wouldn't let us leave the hotel.
Go inside.
'Cause the West was a different world.
Full of chances and possibilities.
-Dude, this is incredible!
-Yeah?
Look, Jdru.
-Free shampoo. In little bottles.
-Cool.
You know how fast it'll sell at home?
Like this!
-Yeah.
-Damn.
Jdru, have you seen the towels?
Good heavens.
-Jdru!
-What?
How many can I take before they realize?
How many will fit in your bag?
Okay.
Too bad the bathtub won't fit.
I thought a brick foundation was cool,
but this is beautiful.
I think it's marble!
Jdru, look!
Can I wear this to the ring?
Yeah. Is your name on it?
-No.
-So you're a nobody.
What are you doing?
-Who, me?
-Yeah.
I'm going to fuck the nurse.
What is the bag for?
A parachute.
Cool.
-I'll take a bath.
-Yeah.
Oh fuck.
-What are you doing?
-Quiet.
Have you gone mad?
Okay.
Listen. They're watching the corridor,
so we have to go out the window.
-You're joking.
-It's the only way.
-I won't go out the window.
-I'll carry you.
-Listen to me.
-You weigh only 110 pounds.
-You don't understand. I can't.
-Wait. Hush.
-You weigh 110 pounds.
-Listen!
-It's the third floor.
-I'm pregnant!
What are you saying?
-Oh my God. That's amazing.
-Wait...
-I can't do this, don't you get it?
-You can.
Czesiek was right, you know?
Yes, he was right. They'll catch us.
Where will I raise this kid?
In prison? They'll separate us!
Stop. Wait.
Listen to me.
Remember how we met?
When you asked why I boxed?
I box because it's the only happy memory
from my childhood.
Look!
See?
See the possibilities?
I do, and I don't want to lose them.
I want our son to grow up there.
To not experience what I did.
Fine, but I won't go down the wall.
Okay, you won't. We'll leave normally.
Okay, so.
The championship's tomorrow.
Before every fight,
I have 15 minutes to myself.
Fifteen minutes. That's our moment.
When you hear our name announced...
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
...you run as fast as possible to the exit.
Good morning!
Faster. Left hand higher. Higher.
Left.
Left, right.
Long left.
What's up?
I couldn't sleep.
There was a lot of noise in the corridor.
Will you win or throw in the towel?
Sure I'll win. When they announce me.
Good.
First one...
and the second one.
Good morning, doctor.
Hello, gentlemen. How may I help you?
I wanted to let you know
that if anything happened,
Wadek would be at your disposal.
I think that nurse Gabriela's help
is more than enough.
I insist.
We need to support the health service.
Right, Mr. Kruszelnicki?
Doctor Kruszelnicki, if you please.
Thank you.
The future Olympic champion
has to center himself. We better go.
I see you're working hard.
Yes, the doctor is preparing the room now.
Okay.
I need a minute.
Since our last conversation,
something's been bothering me.
My father worked his whole life
for the Party.
But he led a clean life.
No smoking.
No drinking.
He was a saint.
And on his 60th birthday,
he went to his room,
fell sleep, and...
died.
-Why are you telling me this?
-I'm asking you why.
I need to know why. Do you think it's...
hereditary?
Wait a minute.
We need to test your urine.
Urine?
Now?
As soon as possible.
It can save your life.
Okay.
-Out of my way.
-Okay.
Nurse! Where are you going now?
Gabi! We'll be suturing.
Get the suture kit!
Move!
Where is he? Did he run away?
It's impossible!
It can't be! What an...
Like father, like son!
You can't trust anyone. So many years...
Catch him! This is...
Catch him!
And... snip.
And...
snip.
Until next time.
Doctor, I'm going to the bathroom.
Yes, of course.
I'm looking for nurse Gabriela.
She was here somewhere.
Maybe she went to the bathroom.
-How may I help you?
-I need to leave this.
For safekeeping.
-Okay. What is it?
-Urine.
Urine?
My urine.
But in my cup.
Have you gone mad?
I'm very sorry, miss.
-But since you're here, I'm Bartosz.
-I'm in a hurry.
Nice to meet you, but...
Where's the nurse?
Was this supposed to be a joke?
You thought it would be funny?
Where is she?
-I don't know.
-What do you mean?
Fuck!
-He peed in this.
-There she is!
Hey!
Miss...
Hey!
Hey!
You!
Fuck!
Jdrzej, come!
-When will we be close?
-Don't worry.
-Give me that.
-No.
Give it to me!
What happened?
I tried to pick up a girl at the bar.
I'm serious. What happened?
We'll have a house like this!
Like this?
It's a bit small.
We'll build an extension. A bigger one.
You and I, and Tadeusz.
Come on, let's go.
Tadeusz?
Nice.
Isn't it there?
-What was the number?
-Thirty-one.
Thirty-one. It's this one.
What if he doesn't live here?
Maybe he's not home.
-What now?
-I don't know.
I'm Czesiek's nephew.
Which Czesiek?
Czesiek said you were
a friend of a friend.
We came from Poland.
Our uncle Czesiek owns a boxing club.
He said we could stay at your place.
Czesiek? The boxer?
-Yes.
-Bytom!
Yes!
Come in!
Such a long way!
From Bytom to London! How did you...
How did you manage to do it?
Kasia was running, and suddenly,
Czesiek knocked them down.
We jumped through the gate,
and now we're here.
-Thankfully, you've made it.
-Yes.
But that dick has our passports.
What if the police stop us
and ask us for IDs?
You're not in Poland.
Here, in England,
when something is bothering us,
we drink tea.
Okay.
-We're very grateful, Karol.
-Call me Charles.
-But I thought...
-I'm an Englishman now.
When I came to London,
I changed my name right away.
I'm Charles. Simply Charles.
Then I'll be Kate, and you'll be Jandrew.
Yes!
No, but...
-But... Yes.
-Sure.
We'd like to repay you.
No need. You don't have money anyway.
-No. We have something for you.
-But...
But I don't even box.
-No! Look!
-No!
See? Money's sewn inside.
We smuggled it across the border.
We'd like to share it.
You need it more.
I'm glad I can take in someone
with whom I can finally speak Polish.
Thanks.
I'll bring you an ointment for your hand.
Don't. There's no need.
We're here. Good luck.
-Although I think you don't need it.
-Thanks.
Thanks for the ride.
Neil McKavanagh's club.
I finally found my place on Earth.
Yes! This is way better
than Czesiek's rathole.
Yes.
Go on.
-He says it's a private session.
-Hey! Five minutes!
Wait. Hey!
Hey!
Neil!
Neil McKavanagh?
My name is Jdrzej Czernecki.
I'm the champion of Poland.
I want to become a professional boxer.
I want you to represent me.
He says he has his champions,
and you can box here,
but you have to pay.
You must have translated wrong. Wait!
Neil!
I'm a champion, and I can train anywhere,
but I'd like to train with you.
You're in luck.
I know.
He says they are already professionals...
I don't know, Jdrzej.
I think they don't want you. Let's go.
Hey! Tell him he's going to regret it.
-No!
-Fucking tell him! Kasia!
I destroyed schmucks like this Romanian
in the first round ten years ago.
Tell him I'll fuck them up. Go on.
Yes! Kill!
I wasn't afraid of communists.
I'm not scared of a Romanian.
I'll take all of your motherfucking belts,
got it?
I'll fucking destroy everyone here.
Tell him. I'll destroy everyone...
What did he say?
He wants to fight you.
He wants to fight?
What? No. Jesus, what about your hand?
Fuck my hand. Go.
-Don't...
-Go!
-Please, don't.
-Go.
-But your hand.
-Fuck my hand. Go!
Go. Don't humiliate me.
Go.
Come on.
Let's fucking go.
Let's fucking go!
Fucking come here.
-Jdrzej.
-Go away.
-Go away.
-Don't get up.
Jdrzej.
-Don't get up.
-No.
Fucking go!
Why the fuck did you come here?
I told you to stay outside.
Why did you come inside?
-Can you tell me why?
-I was worried about you.
-You were lying on the floor.
-So what?
This is boxing.
Sometimes you lie, sometimes you get up.
-I had him. I would have won.
-With an arm like this?
It doesn't matter!
Don't you understand? I asked you!
I asked you to wait outside.
And what did you do?
You came inside, right?
And now I can't go back.
I can't go back there
'cause you've embarrassed me.
In front of the biggest coaches
in England!
-What does he want?
-He says he's Jackie Boss.
I know what he says.
Ask him what he wants.
-Is he making fun of me?
-Calm down.
"I fight good." Heard that?
What?
He says he's looking for...
-What is he saying?
-I don't know.
That he slept with a fat woman.
Fuck this shit. Let's go.
What does he want?
I'm not sure, but I think he wants you to...
lose a fight for money.
Fuck you, you hear me? Fuck you.
-But listen...
-Let's go!
Fuck off.
Let's go.
-It doesn't mean they won't...
-Give me a minute.
Fucking hell. Jdrzej!
-What?
-Jdrzej, come here!
-Jdrzej, come here!
-What is it?
Look.
Oh fuck.
Fuck.
-Fucking hell.
-What's going on?
-What the fuck is going on?
-What's the matter?
What is the fucking matter? What is this?
-Jesus Christ.
-"Jesus Christ" fucking what?
You've been robbed.
He's lying to our faces!
-Fuck.
-What?
Where the fuck is our money?
-Why would I steal in my own home?
-Give us our money!
Jdrzej, stop! We don't have passports,
don't you understand?
If the police come,
who will they believe? They'll arrest you!
Listen to your wife.
Put your brain cells to work, Jdru.
Maybe we should call the police? Huh?
We'll tell them how I took you in
out of the goodness of my heart,
and now you're accusing me of theft?
That's how you repay me?
-Fuck!
-Jdrzej!
I knew something was up with him.
You know the worst part? He's a Pole.
Fucking compatriots.
We should support each other.
We left Poland
to escape motherfuckers like him.
Jdrzej, come on.
Kasia was afraid they'd arrest us.
I was afraid they'd deport us.
Instead, we got a taste of something
that was basically unobtainable
in communist Poland.
The taste of mercy.
Living room, playroom.
Though I hope you won't have kids here.
Let me remind you,
prejudice based on nationality or race
won't be tolerated.
To the left,
communal bathrooms and showers.
No guests, no animals.
Everyone cleans up after themselves.
Here we are.
Oh, and there's a curfew.
If you're not in the center by 7 p.m.,
you sleep outside.
Thank you for everything.
What do they want? Gypsies.
-Jesus, calm down. They want to say hi.
-What do they want now?
Polska, kurwa.
-Polska?
-Poland.
Sayonara.
I don't want to be here.
How long will we stay here?
Six months? Eight? A year?
I want to go home.
Hey...
Kasia.
Calm down. Easy.
How can I calm down?
How will we raise a child here?
Kasia. Honey.
Everything's going according to plan,
but a little slower.
You think there's only one boxing club
in London?
McKavanagh will regret not signing me
for the rest of his life.
We'll be laughing at this in a month.
Listen. You're Kate, and I'm Jandrew.
Come here.
And this...
This is the last night
we're some
poor losers from Poland.
Hey.
Everything starts tomorrow.
We'll be good.
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
Kurwa.
You punch like a wagina.
First, Yu, fuck you,
and second, you say "pizda," not "wagina."
So, this guy is a pizda?
Yup. A big pizda. Let's go.
My arm was getting better.
Too bad I couldn't say the same
about everything else.
Czesiek went to jail for treason.
I couldn't go back to Poland.
If that wasn't enough,
the bitch from TV kept reminding me
about that fuckface Roy Barber.
The only consolation
were the packages my mom sent.
JDRZEJ CZERNECKI:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
Hey, Kasia. Nice tits.
Shame on you. I'll tell your wife,
and you'll be in trouble.
What did you teach him?
You know, some basic Polish words.
How's your day?
Don't ask. Svetlana was an hour late,
which made me an hour late
to the hotel.
I had a talk with the manager.
God, my feet hurt.
Allow me, ma'am.
What's this?
Nothing. I'm a star in Poland.
How's my little champion?
He kept punching me in the bladder today.
Yeah?
A true boxer.
His boxing made me
want to pee all the time.
-I didn't have time to go to the bathroom.
-Maybe we should buy you a potty.
Or a diaper,
so that Tadek gets one after his mommy.
-How was your day?
-Very good.
I'm training. I'll have a fight soon.
I just have to pay for the gym.
-Pay for the gym?
-To have no debt.
Tell him we don't have money.
But we do.
You do.
That money is for an apartment.
That's what I'm saying.
We'll pay for the gym,
I'll get a fight and win it...
You hear yourself?
I'm nine months pregnant.
-When will you win?
-We have three more. Calm down.
I'm fucking sick
of your stupid little jokes.
How was I supposed to train
with a broken arm?
For all I know, it healed some time ago.
And how do you know
how fast a boxer's arm heals?
Man, could you finally wake up?
You'll be a father soon.
Do you see a crib here?
Or onesies, or diapers?
-And you want to spend our savings?
-I need to box.
I'm tired of listening
to this fucking bullshit!
"One more month.
I've found a guy who'll fix me up."
He won't fix you shit.
Because you mean nothing to these people.
So let's fucking go home.
-You understand?
-Yeah?
Where do you want to go?
-We don't have a home.
-Yeah?
If I go back,
I'll go to prison, don't you understand?
You want money?
Here you go. Is this enough?
-No, stop.
-Here. More for the prince.
Of course the prince needs more money.
Here you fucking go.
I'll keep working my ass off
without so much as a piss break...
What happened?
Sit down. What's going on?
I don't know! It hurts!
Yu! Uyen! Come here!
Fucking hell, I know that much.
Don't pick me up!
Take my shoes!
I'm sorry.
I know how much you sacrificed to be here.
But I think
we need to go back home for him.
Yes. See?
Tadzik wants to go home, yes?
Yes. Tadzik.
It'll be fine.
We'll make an official apology.
You're a great champion.
They will definitely want to use
your talent.
Fuck.
Yes, darling, Mommy will come back soon.
Ready?
Bye, champ.
Wait a moment.
-She'll be fine.
-I know. It's not about that.
JDRZEJ CZERNECKI:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
What?
Shit.
Jesus, just open it.
No way.
Here's my blankie.
Oh gosh.
-Fits me like a glove.
-I measured you when you were sleeping.
Really?
Oh gosh.
-Beautiful.
-Jdrzej.
I know what kind of fight this is.
Remember, you'll always be a champion
to me and Tadzik.
Let's go.
We'll be late.
-You know what you're doing?
-A hundred percent.
No problemas.
Yeah.
Okay, Limey, stop yapping.
Hello, princess.
Uncle.
Fuck.
What are you doing here?
-Jdrula!
-What are you doing here?
Are you joking?
You're going professional.
I wouldn't miss it
for all the tightest pussies in the world.
Who is the gnome?
This is...
Your coach?
Nope. He helps me with taping and stuff.
Better tell me who's in your corner.
Yu.
Yu. This is supposed to be
professional boxing?
No. It's not like that.
I'll be in your corner.
-Stop, Uncle.
-Enough of this shit.
Look, Jdrula.
Since I'm here,
I'll make myself useful.
I still remember something.
And you, Yu.
You can learn something.
What's with your leg?
In prison,
I wanked a bit too much, and my hip broke.
Look.
You cover the knuckle.
And wrap the rest up. Here.
Time to get serious.
This guy
is not some twat from the Olympics.
-He wants to be the champion.
-Uncle.
This fight is different.
We fight, and we win.
-Live and rule.
-Yes, but...
-Victory or death, understood?
-Yes, but this fight is a bit different...
Cut the crap.
Fight.
You were born to do this, son.
To win.
Don't be pizda.
You hear this silence? Enjoy it.
After tonight,
you'll never hear it again. Never.
Come on.
Come on!
What is he doing?
Don't provoke him. What are you doing?
Fuck!
-Yes!
-Come on!
What are you doing?
Who welded you to the floor?
It's going to be lights out for you
if you don't move.
Stay ahead of him.
His left ball is hanging.
It's not a circus.
Don't be a clown. Be a boxer.
Get up!
Fight.
You were born to do this, son. To win.
Yes! Fuck him up!
Yes!
Yes!
Get the fuck up.
You messed him up. He dropped his left...
The fuck is he saying?
What?
You keep hitting. Now you've got him.
He's messed up.
Yes! Bam! Champ!
Yeah, yeah.
Finish him!
Yes, finish him!
Finish him!
Yes! Jdrula!
I'm staying, bitches.
I'm staying.
That's how you do it!
Best debut ever. You're a champ.
Yes, Jdrula. There was a crisis,
but you overcame...
What?
Don't come in! Don't...
A hell of a fight.
Finally, someone speaks normally.
You fought as if you had hammers
instead of fists.
But tell me,
why was your Kasia so sad,
and, I don't know, kind of scared?
Kasia?
Your Kasia.
Nah, she wasn't scared.
No? But I saw it myself.
She was sitting right across from me.
She was looking at me
as if I were some fucking boogieman.
Fuck.
Seriously.
If you don't believe me, ask Jackie.
Fuck.
Imagine that Jackie promised me
you would get knocked out
in the second round.
And you did get knocked out
in the second round.
So I got up and wanted to leave.
I had a fucking fantastic evening planned.
Friends, ladies,
a beautiful, fat,
fresh lobster for dinner.
The bomb.
And suddenly,
you got the fuck up.
-Why wouldn't he get up?
-Hey.
Fuck.
What was the name of the guy who died?
And then came back?
Jesus.
If I had listened to my daddy, I'd know.
But I'd probably still be in Poland,
wearing shit-covered rubber boots.
Instead, I'm wearing leather oxfords.
So I went back
to see the balls of the guy
who was about to fuck me.
Imagine my surprise when I found out
that guy wasn't a serious boxer,
but a fucking kid from Bytom.
Who doesn't have a job or a passport,
has a son called Tadzik...
-Hey.
-Wait.
...and lives
in some lousy immigration center.
And that kid took out his cock
and fucked me.
You fucked me, you understand?
You screwed me.
You know how much you made me lose?
Do you? Five years.
For five fucking years
I've been building O'Brian's career.
Brick by brick, day by day. Five years!
And some dick from Bytom came
and fucked it all up in one night.
-Should've chosen better bricks.
-What did you say?
I didn't come here to lose.
I came to be the world champion.
And my son will wear oxfords like yours.
Fuck.
Fuck, he has balls.
Seriously, you have fucking balls.
Okay.
We'll see what will come of this.
What's this?
-Move! My husband is there!
-I think it's Kasia.
Yeah. Kasia might be...
Scared.
Out of my way!
Get out of my way!
Jdrzej! Is everything okay?
-Better than okay. I signed a contract.
-What?
-This is Nicky.
-What contract?
-Don't sign anything with him.
-Stop.
-Trust me, he's not a good person.
-He's Polish.
Didn't I tell you?
-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.
-Kasia.
It's alright.
You don't have to apologize.
We're family now.
Call me Nikodem.
Kasia.
Welcome to the family, Nikodem.
Call me Czesiu.
Okay, enough business for today.
Go have fun.
Thanks.
Don King once said in an interview
that real warriors should fight,
not read contracts.
Bye, Nikodem!
These things seem stupid
until you meet someone
as charismatic as Nikodem.
-Hi. It's your daddy, the champion.
-Kasia!
Mommy didn't believe.
Mommy said my dream was over.
But my dream isn't over.
This is just the beginning.
You'll see.
The whole world will know our name.
Yeah, but first,
we need to make you a professional.
What?
You've let yourself go, fatso.
Tomorrow we start intense training.
Fine. Tadziu must get to know his grandpa.
Princess, don't call me grandpa.
I came here to score English pussies...
Hold your grandson.
What a small thing.
What a small thing.
I keep going back to that night.
Look at his left.
We were like a happy family.
The clerk took one look at Czesiek's leg
and allowed him to stay.
The next morning, we went to Nicky's club.
Almost like Grnik in Sosnowiec.
-Yeah.
-The boxers are more tan.
Here they are.
-Jdrzej.
-Good morning.
-And Czesiek.
-You!
Can you tell me what he's doing here?
-Czesiek?
-Yes, Czesiek.
What do you mean?
I mean that last night,
if I'm not wrong, we made a deal.
Czesiek was not part of that deal.
But...
Czesiek is my coach.
I wouldn't be here without him.
Long punches. And legs.
Good. Fight.
Czesiek has to be in my corner.
You see, it just so happens
that it isn't your corner.
It's my corner.
If you want to fight for me,
I'll decide who stands in it. Okay?
Friend.
You're the coach
of the guy from yesterday.
The chocolate one.
The one Jdrula knocked out.
Yeah, yeah.
We'll train a lot with Jdrula.
-You'll learn something...
-Czesiu.
Pierre.
Stop jerking around. Jdrula, warm up.
Uncle.
The thing is...
Nicky says we have to work as a team.
And?
He said Pierre was his right-hand man.
-We have to listen to him.
-What do you mean? Listen how?
Just listen. He'll be my official coach.
This Frogeater? He doesn't know anything.
He'll be your coach?
What can I do? Nicky said so.
Don't worry. Nothing will change.
How will it work?
You'll come to training and observe.
Then we'll work together.
Just not during the official training.
Is that okay with you?
Sure, it's okay. Sure.
You'll always be my Jdrula.
And not some... Jandrew.
Let's go.
-Let's go.
-Pierre!
Pierre!
Legs closer.
For Czesiek and Pierre,
it wasn't love at first sight.
When Hitler came,
the French weren't so smart.
What?
Jackie Boss eagerly set about
finding me appropriate opponents.
This time, he made sure
that everything would go well.
Maybe even too well.
Since then I was known as...
The Polack, obviously.
Nicky pulled a few strings
and got me documents.
Today I can declare with pride
that the wind of big changes is blowing.
When the Berlin Wall fell,
more and more Poles
started coming to my fights.
They're writing about you, son.
-See you at the club?
-Sure thing.
-We'll get you out of here soon.
-I know.
I finally fulfilled my promise.
Can you believe it?
Tadek!
Your parents have an amazing bedroom.
And your mommy has a jacuzzi.
Well, your mommy and daddy.
Isn't it weird
that this guy is giving us a house?
Fuck.
Nicky is old-school.
To guys like him,
compatriots are like blood ties.
Karol was a compatriot.
Karol was a shit-patriot.
Tadziu, let's go.
Let's look for your room.
Let's go to your room.
Nobody will be complaining there.
THREE YEARS LATER
Get the fuck up! Fucking hell.
Get the fuck up. Fucking hell.
Fuck...
Nicky, what the fuck?
Can you get me a normal opponent?
I want to fight Barber, not some losers.
Jdrula.
Or do you need me to ask in Polish?
Look at all those coaches,
managers, assistants,
and who fucking knows what else.
It's not boxing anymore. It's...
a circus with clowns.
If your father were alive,
he'd kill these Limeys with laughter.
Can you finally shut the fuck up?
What?
If I hear one more thing about Poland
or the good old times,
I'll hit my head through a wall!
Fucking what? Look at yourself.
You look like a fucking dumpster hobo.
Four fucking years you've lived here,
and you can't even say a word in English.
You just complain
and drink from your fucking flask.
If it weren't for me...
Then fucking what?
-Then what?
-If it...
-If it...
-You can't even speak Polish.
-Jdrzej, please!
-What?
-We'll talk tomorrow...
-Fuck no!
We won't talk now
or in a million fucking years, got it?
-Jdrek...
-I don't fucking need you, got it?
I don't need
this fucking Polish whining and shit.
You've never been my coach,
and you never fucking will be, got it?
Jdrzej!
What now, bitch?
It's fucking Poland, not Albania!
You'll be a legend.
What is this?
A ticket to paradise.
What was that?
What?
That girl in the men's bathroom.
Journalists. Come on.
I don't have children.
At least I'm not aware of any.
Anyone to whom I could pass on my legacy.
But tonight I realized something.
I realized that when my time comes,
I won't regret any wasted years.
I'll be happy and fulfilled
because my protg,
my champion,
the son I never had,
will have achieved great things.
It breaks my heart.
I've sacrificed so much for him.
But apparently,
some people you can't help.
I'm guessing
he didn't read the contract either.
Hey.
Kasia, wait. Believe me.
I wouldn't be where I am now
if I didn't honor my commitments.
Are we going to pretend
that what just happened was normal?
He came out of nowhere.
We're having a nice time.
If you don't want people
to come to you unannounced,
you shouldn't give them reasons to.
-Why do you keep answering for him?
-What?
Kasia, believe me, it's not pleasant
saying goodbye to your fighter.
It's the worst part of our job.
Luckily, your husband is very talented.
Thank you very much for dinner.
I think we'll go home now.
Yes, let's go home.
I just wanted to ask. Is it even ours?
Hey!
I sometimes wonder
if we're sleeping in our own house.
Let's go. Now.
Yes, champion.
I'm sorry.
See you tomorrow at 8 a.m.
We'll talk about the fight.
-Yes, sorry.
-Good night, Kasia.
-Are you fucking crazy?
-What?
You know what.
You've offended Nicky.
What the hell were you thinking?
-I don't trust him.
-Then you have a problem!
He gave us everything.
He let me fight...
He let me fight and got you
out of the fucking immigration center!
And you're making him a scene
in his restaurant?
-In front of his friends.
-Are you that blind?
I'm blind? Look at yourself.
You have a house, a new car, a fur coat.
A husband fighting
in the world championships.
All thanks to that man.
But no, it's not enough for you.
It's never enough for you!
-He did the same for Rascal.
-Rascal! It's my night, understand?
Not Rascal's or Barber's.
Not Czesiek's either.
Fuck you.
Jdrzej, he came to England for you.
-To help you.
-But he didn't fucking help.
It's Czesiek! What's up with you?
I'll be the greatest boxer in history,
do you understand?
No, you don't understand.
You've never understood.
Remember The Legends?
When I asked you to stay outside?
You had to fucking get inside
and humiliate me
in front of the best coaches
in the country.
And when Tadek was born,
you wanted to go back to Poland.
And when Nicky gave me a contract,
you called him names.
You know why? I'll tell you why.
'Cause you don't fucking believe in me.
-I don't?
-Yes. You say, "Your dream is over."
-I don't believe in you?
-Yes, you.
-I don't believe?
-Yes!
I worked my ass off in a foreign country
just so you could keep punching
a fucking bag.
Have you forgotten
that I dropped out for you,
left my parents,
and fucking escaped from Poland for you?
-Where's my London University?
-Come on.
-Where's my laboratory?
-Come on!
So don't tell me I don't believe in you
because everything has been for you.
I'm glad we're being honest.
That all of it is not for you,
not for Tadek, not for us, but for me.
That's not what I meant.
Where are you going?
Jdrzej!
Fuck!
Fuck.
Jdrzej.
What are you doing here?
-I got scared...
-Sorry, could you...
I got scared when you didn't come home.
I thought something happened.
Like what?
I don't know. You always come home.
I went to see Czesiek.
-Czesiek?
-Yes.
I wanted to see if he was okay.
-And?
-You know how he is. He's a tough guy.
Yeah.
I'm happy you two are talking.
I wanted to apologize for yesterday.
I know you have a lot on your plate.
I want you to feel
that I always support you.
Something just broke in me yesterday.
I don't know.
-The last six years were hard for me.
-Jesus. Six years?
Yes. This Thursday
will be the sixth anniversary of you...
accosting me in a bar.
Listen. Let's do it like in the old days.
You know, you're mad at me now.
Perfect timing.
We'll drink Guinness
instead of white wine.
Huh? Maybe on Thursday.
But Tadzik's birthday is on Thursday.
-Then...
-We can combine it.
That's what I'm saying.
-A big party?
-It doesn't have to be big.
Yes! We'll have a big cake,
plenty of food, tons of presents.
-Fireworks visible in all of London.
-Fireworks?
Kasia!
Kasia, dear, what are you doing here?
-Nicky! Hi.
-Hi.
I didn't know
you'd grace us with your presence today.
-You look beautiful.
-Thank you.
Look at this guy. He got a chance
to fight for the world championship,
and what does he do?
He's late.
-It's my fault.
-Don't apologize, Kasia.
I've always said that family comes first.
Yes.
-I have to go.
-I'll go too.
-I love you.
-Love you too.
-Bye.
-Bye.
Listen, this thing with Barber
got a lot of attention.
To create buzz around the fight,
I need to pull many strings. But...
one is crucial.
Eva just called. You know, the journalist.
Nice piece of ass.
She wants to interview you on Thursday.
Live, in prime time.
-What? That's great, no?
-No.
-Why?
-What time?
-Is there a problem?
-No...
-Hey.
-What time?
Whenever I fucking tell you.
But it's Tadzik's birthday.
We're having a party.
You're invited, of course...
You're talking
like you're still in Poland.
Why choose when you can have it all?
You'll do the interview.
I'll keep an eye on the party.
You'll join us when you finish.
Nobody will fucking notice
you're not there.
-So?
-Okay.
-Yeah.
-You're right.
Next issue. Listen...
Fucking hell.
It's starting!
-Tadzik!
-Be right back!
Stop, please.
Tadzik, your dad's on TV.
You'll ruin your eyes.
It's my birthday!
Tadzik, Dad is being silly. Don't worry.
-It was fucking awesome.
-Yeah.
That cameraman was laughing hard.
That man? Whole England was laughing.
You're good at this, you know.
Camera loves you.
Seriously? You mean it?
-What's this?
-You can't go dressed like an accountant.
Wait, where?
To the fucking party of the year.
-Today?
-Yup.
But...
But I can't. It's my son's birthday.
Jdrzej.
You need to understand that in this world,
connections are everything.
Everyone you need to know
will be at this party.
You're lucky you can go there.
If you even care about being on top.
But okay. Maybe next time.
So beautiful!
Tadek. These are Oxfords.
From the best shoemaker in London.
Thank you, Nicky.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
So?
Let's open the next one. Here you go.
Who is it from?
Open it, see for yourself.
Another pair of boxing gloves?
You don't have yellow ones.
When will Dad come?
I think he'll be here
for the fireworks, honey.
-Are you sure?
-Yes.
Earlier you said
he'd come for the presents,
and now you say
he'll come for the fireworks.
Honey... How about another gift?
Wait.
Fuck.
Your wife's calling?
Pick up. Maybe she misses you.
I think I have to...
-Maybe I'll pick up?
-No! Stop.
-Eva.
-No? I'll just say hi.
No. Are you crazy?
-Jdrzej?
-Hello?
-Hi.
-Hello?
Are you coming back?
Yes, I'm here.
The show's producers
invited me for a drink.
They said it was their tradition.
You know how it is.
I need to say hi to everyone,
talk to everyone. It takes a lot of time.
Listen, I tried to set off the fireworks.
But Tadzik said
that only Dad could handle it.
Hello? Hello, Jdrzej?
What?
I'll make it up to him.
But he's asking about you, and I...
I don't know what to tell him.
I know, but it's not
his last birthday, right?
There'll be a few others,
so he'll manage to forgive me and forget.
Jdrzej, he needs you.
Oh, fuck.
Okay, I need to go.
Take care.
Be careful.
Are you going or staying?
This party
is the bomb!
Kaka.
Come here.
Sit down.
Come.
Take a seat.
Here you go.
I'll tell you something.
Women are...
so stupid, right?
But you're smart.
Listen to me.
You're beautiful.
Good.
Smart.
You're...
the smartest girl
any of us clowns has ever met.
It's a shame...
it turned out like...
this.
Here, have a smoke.
-No.
-Go on.
And then have a drink.
It helps when it hurts.
You don't know...
how much I love you guys.
I know, Czesiu.
Mom! Jan and Benjamin have to go home.
Will you set off the fireworks?
Rug rat.
This is not a job for your beautiful mom.
But for a real man.
-I'll set them off, you pyro.
-Yay!
Fight.
Don't give up.
Come here, Tadzik!
Come on.
It'll go boom!
Let's go.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Kasia?
Kasia!
Fuck!
Yeah?
You think you can just leave me? Great!
Kasia disappeared...
-There?
-Fucking great, huh?
...Eva moved in...
and anyone who says
that balance is the key to success,
has never heard of cocaine.
Before I got my shit together,
I'd wasted half a year.
Half a year wasted on chasing popularity...
Fuck!
...frolicking with Eva...
and anything Jackie brought to me.
I had just forgotten
about one tiny detail.
To win a championship...
you have to train.
Fuck, it's a funny thing.
Your fight is getting closer,
but I don't see you in the club.
I thought I had to check my eyes, but no.
-Pierre says he doesn't see you either.
-I'm sorry, Nicky.
I don't know what's going on.
I can't sleep.
Kasia ran away with Tadek.
I don't know where, somewhere in Poland.
Tell me,
are we in a church right now?
What?
Am I in a cassock? I'm not a priest.
You don't need to confess to me.
I don't care at all.
Get it through your thick head
that when you come to train,
you leave all your problems
behind the door, okay?
-You're joking?
-Do I look like I'm fucking joking?
I've invested a lot of money in you.
And you come to me crying
that your old lady left you?
I understand.
-I came to you like to a father.
-I'll tell you something.
I don't give a flying fuck
if I'm a daddy, mommy, sister, cousin,
or a fucking goldfish to you.
We have obligations to each other.
You know that
if you don't meet these obligations,
there will be consequences.
-Are you threatening me?
-Fucking please.
How am I threatening you?
I'm just reminding you of our agreement.
So we're talking business now?
So if this is strictly business,
give me my money, and I'll fuck off.
What money?
What do you mean?
The money I fucking earned
with these fists and balls.
Okay, let's check in my notebook
how much money I owe you. Okay?
It's a long list.
First item: 500,000 pounds.
That's how much I had spent
on O'Brian's career
before you prematurely stopped it.
But you promised to pay it back.
Where is it? Here's your contract.
-Rascal O'Brian?
-You don't remember Rascal?
Such a big guy. Fucking great boxer.
Reliable, punctual, with a great family.
You said it was a bad investment,
so I listened to reason
and thought
I'd choose better bricks.
Fuck it. Then take the 500,000,
and give me the rest.
And the beautiful villa that you live in?
How much do you think it costs?
Huh? It's 8,000 pounds a month.
But I got you a discount,
so it's not 8,000, but 7,000.
I didn't want a house from you.
You didn't want it, but you needed it.
You wouldn't become a champion
in a fucking immigration center.
And I promised you
you'd become a champion.
You realize you've been living there
for three years?
Fucking hell, time flies by.
Let's count it.
It'll be 7,000 pounds
times 12 months a year times three years.
In total,
252,000 pounds. With a discount.
What's important,
you've saved 36,000 pounds thanks to me.
I got you a Jaguar.
That's 1,700 pounds a month in leasing.
-Gym is 700 pounds...
-What?
...with a member discount.
Now Pierre, your coach.
Do you know that old fuck
charges you 10,000 pounds every month?
Even when you don't train.
Another 60,000 pounds
for using my towels...
What fucking towels?
-And 40,000.
-What the fuck?
For clothes, hotels,
drinks at my restaurant, and so on.
-What the...
-What?
-Leather oxfords?
-Yes, from the best shoemaker in London.
-That was a fucking gift!
-Yes, a gift.
-From you.
-But you gave them to him!
Why the fuck would I give him
such expensive shoes?
You wanted him to wear them.
That's why I'll never have kids.
Fucking parasites.
Fuck!
In conclusion,
the sum total of your expenses
is 1,919,120 pounds and 19 pence.
So you still owe me
420,000 pounds plus interest.
-Interest?
-Interest is...
I fucking know what interest is!
-Then why the fuck do you ask?
-Fuck you, you bitch!
Jdrzej, believe me, it's hard for me too.
I'm really shaken up.
Yeah? Then I won't fucking fight.
I won't fight. What then?
You're nothing without me, you bitch!
Nicky Nobody.
Okay.
Listen, we're professionals.
Let's deal with it like professionals.
I'm not pressuring you or anything.
Simply give me your house and car keys,
pay back what you owe me,
and we'll be fertig.
Or you can relax,
think some things through,
and win that fucking championship belt.
Then a few more fights,
and you'll be in the clear.
Whatever you decide,
I'll support you.
Like a father.
Uncle, it's me.
Uncle.
I'm sorry.
You hear me? I'm sorry.
You were right about the English.
Hey!
No! Fuck, no!
Fuck, no! Uncle! Fuck!
Jesus! Uncle!
Fuck! No!
Fuck!
Fuck!
He always said this helped when it hurt.
Thank you for coming.
How could I not come? It's Czesiek.
Are you okay?
Yeah, you know...
I have this fight. I'm training a lot.
Good.
Listen, we didn't have a chance to talk.
I know. All this time,
I've wanted to talk.
Maybe since I'm in town,
you'll find a moment?
Of course.
Of course I'll find a moment.
Tonight at my place. I'll make dinner.
Sorry, can I help you?
I came to say goodbye to Czesiek.
Go ahead.
Wait, please.
-Ready?
-Do I look like I'm ready?
I don't know.
That's why I asked. I'm cold.
I know you're cold. You know why?
'Cause you've said that
about 40,000 times.
You know why you're cold?
'Cause it's fucking cold!
If you want to go, fucking go.
Take these shoes, fucking car keys,
take your pouty face, and fuck off!
Are you fucking crazy?
Jdrzej!
-Hello?
-What's up? Are you resting?
No, I'm cooking.
Say what? You're cooking?
Listen, I have a favor to ask.
If you could get tickets...
Two VIP seats near the corner
would be great.
We're sold out.
But it's for Kasia and Tadek.
It's important to me.
Fucking hell.
-Fine, as long as you focus on the fight.
-Sure, I'll focus.
Okay, gotta go. Bye.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Yeah...
Sorry, it's a bit messy.
I thought you'd come later.
Everything's ready there.
You look beautiful.
Sure, but I have a flight to catch today.
There'll be another flight tomorrow.
How about wine? Do you want some wine?
I got front-row tickets for you and Tadek.
-Jdrzej...
-I'll sort everything out.
It'll be great again.
Actually, I only came to give you this.
What the fuck is this?
We didn't have a chance to talk...
Because when I woke up, you were gone.
Okay.
And you come to Czesiek's funeral
to give me fucking divorce papers!
I came to the funeral
because he was an important person...
Yeah?
If you can't talk to me like an adult...
I'm fucking making things for you,
preparing everything,
beautifully cutting lettuce and mushrooms
instead of training!
I want it to be nice for the lady, but no,
you come here and give me this shit?
Listen, you've got your life,
and I've got mine.
-Sign the papers. Let's move on.
-Are you with someone?
-I can see it.
-I'm not.
Who's fucking you?
Give me his name.
Huh?
Kasia! Wait!
I'm sorry! Kasia, dear, hey.
Kasia.
I overreacted. I'm sorry.
Listen. I'm a bit fucking angry,
kind of sad.
About Czesiek,
the championship, everything.
I need you.
I simply need you.
Remember how we used to be?
Back in Poland?
How good it was?
We had our bathtub,
our dreams, our bricks.
It was so beautiful.
We were so in love. Everything was simple.
We're so close to fulfilling our dreams.
They're our dreams.
We have to fulfill them.
Jdrzej, listen to me.
They were never my dreams, understand?
-They were yours.
-Come on...
I came to England for you.
Because I loved you.
-Yes.
-But it's all gone.
The bricks, the bathtub, us.
So I'm begging you.
Please, just let me leave.
What the fuck?
You have a taxi waiting?
You came only for a fucking moment?
-Fucking wait.
-Let me go!
You think you can just leave me?
Get the fuck out of here right now!
Fuck off! Got it?
Doesn't everything that's happened
between us matter to you?
It's not over. You hear me? It's not over!
I'll fucking come
and take Tadek away from you!
I'll take Tadek away from you,
and you'll end up on the street! Alone!
Fuck!
Fuck...
Fuck.
Harder.
Yes!
Kill!
Fucking kill!
Kill me, bitch!
Kill me!
Kill!
Kill me!
Kasia!
HERE LIES EDWIN CZERNECKI
LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER
Why?
Why did you leave me?
FUTURE SITE OF BYTOM PLAZA
KONSTANTY ZALEWSKI FOR PRESIDENBoxers get old.
Grow fat.
Drink too much.
In the end, they die.
Like my father.
Like Czesiek.
And like this club.
You were better at running.
Easy.
I come in peace.
No more chasing, okay?
-How did you know I'd be here?
-Didn't you know where I worked?
Then don't ask stupid questions.
You fought beautifully.
But... who knows?
If I had watched you more closely,
this might have never happened.
What do you want?
To say thanks.
To you and your wife.
For what?
For saving my life.
Your Kasia was a better nurse
than she thought.
Remember when Kasia told Wadek
a bunch of crap
about dark rings under his eyes?
She made a comment about...
Well...
...rings under my eyes...
It turned out that...
she had been right again.
Get this, I've been diagnosed with cancer.
Konstanty and Henryk
blamed my escape on Wadek.
Before he left, he had taken
a few wiretap recordings as a memento.
One recording was made
a long time ago in Czesiek's club.
Edwin, I'll tell it to you straight.
At the Olympics, you'll throw the fight.
Do you understand?
When you fight the Russkie, you'll lose.
-Are you kidding me?
-Czesiu, fuck!
I fully trust you, Edwin.
I'm putting the fate of the Soviet Union
in your hands. Do you understand?
Have you thought about what'll happen
to your son if the Soviet Union falls?
Will he grow up?
Will he box?
You'd like him
to become the world champion, right?
And what if something bad
happens to him? Edwin?
Huh?
Think about it.
Gentlemen, good luck at the Olympic Games.
Cheerio.
-Assholes from Warsaw!
-Czechu!
You'll just leave it
after so many years of hard work?
-The Olympics come first!
-Czesiek...
So you'll bail on me?
After everything we've been through.
The Olympics come first.
Man, family comes first.
One day you'll understand.
Wonderful, Mr. Czernecki.
What would you want from us?
Nothing much.
A tiny autograph.
Before you become president
and I only see you on TV.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP CONTRACWhat is this?
I want to get Czesiek's club back.
I think you might have...
spent too much time in the West.
Shall I remind you?
Like I once reminded Mr. Czesiek what...
I must say, Mr. Czernecki,
your arguments are overwhelming.
My dad stopped boxing.
But he didn't stop fighting.
And he never stopped loving me.
That's how I'll remember him.
I'll do everything
so that my son remembers me the same way.
My best work.
Dad!
Hi! Second best.
How are you?
-Good.
-"Good."
-Bag.
-Bag.
I'll come get you later, kid.
-No.
-Yeah. Say bye to Mommy.
Bye, Mom!
Bye, bye.
Hi, Kasia!
Hi!
One. Two. Left.
Give me a jab.
A jab. From the left. Good.
And the guard? Yes.
Good. One jab. Good! And the other side.
Yes.
Okay, let's take a break.
-Are you having fun?
-Yes.
Yes?
-I don't think so. Someone's lying.
-No.
Someone's lying.
Listen. In the end,
you don't have to like boxing.
What is boxing?
Two brutes punching each other's faces.
First one gets punched,
then the other. Rinse and repeat.
Boring, right?
-Boring.
-Boring.
-Boring.
-Wanna go?
-Yes.
-Yes.
Let's go.
If you didn't have to be
with your old man, what would you do?
Mom bought me a book about Marie Curie.
Yeah?
Watch out for smart women.
They're dangerous.
Do you know Marie Curie was the only one
to win a "marble" in two fields?
Only in the '80s,
more than one million people left Poland.
They fled because of poverty, persecution,
and dreams of a better future.
Amongst them
were several hundred athletes.
In that time, no other country
witnessed such an exodus.
BOXER
This film is inspired
by the lives of many people
who fled from communist Poland
to chase their dreams.
This story could have been real.
BYTOM, POLAND
Damn.
I wish I knew how to describe it.
What I felt when I returned here
after all these years.
Old boxing gloves soaked in sweat.
The ring I had covered in blood
so many times.
It was a long time ago.
Long before...
I fucked everything up.
For this story to make sense,
first I need to tell you about my father.
What should I start with?
That he had a heavy hand?
That he was a nitpicker?
No.
I'll start with the moment
when I last saw my father...
happy.
-Get up!
-It's all good. Look!
-What a fucking blow. I'm good.
-One! Two!
-Dad's pretending!
-Three! Four!
You good?
Dad's pretending. Now watch. Now slowly...
Box!
Good!
He hits like a truck!
Let him get tired!
Now! Go!
Punch him!
Yes! Do it!
Dad hit him!
-Six! Seven!
-Edwin!
Ten!
Yes!
-I love you...
-The Olympics!
Go! Good! Left, right!
Just like I showed you!
Edek. I'll hang the photo here.
Under the diploma? That's good. Cool.
Come on. Left, right.
Come on. One, two!
What? Are you not strong enough? Harder!
Knockout! Look!
You'll be the champion of Poland, right?
You'll be the champ.
The champion of Poland.
Man, we'll beat them all!
I'm not even...
Look at that!
When I was driving here,
I thought I'd find one boxer,
and I've found two.
And what boxers!
You'll be the champion of Poland one day,
like your dad?
I'll be the world champion.
World...
In that case,
I need to ask you for an autograph.
When you're a star,
I'll be able to watch you only on TV.
-Would you be so kind?
-Yes.
Thank you very much. Good. How beautiful.
I'll frame it.
It's yours.
Thank you.
World champions give many autographs.
How may I help you, sir?
We came to congratulate you.
In private.
If we may.
Make yourselves at home.
-Czechu.
-Yeah.
In the ring he'll do exactly what you say.
Gentlemen, it's a complete symbiosis.
Like in Poland.
Gentlemen, good luck at the Olympic Games.
-Assholes from Warsaw!
-Czesiek!
The Olympics come first. It's your dream!
Man, work isn't important.
Family comes first, Czesiek.
Fuck you, princess.
Give me that.
That was the last time
my father set foot in Czesiek's club.
Again...
Come on.
Father fought the Russkies
at the Olympics.
Come on, show him!
Fought and lost.
Again!
Lost his career.
He became a shadow of his former self.
-Boxing.
-Fight me!
-Czesiek.
-Go on!
His club.
Watch out! Jdrzej Czernecki! Knockout!
Gone with the wind.
-I'm sorry, Dad.
-Sit there.
Sit your ass.
You have to study, you understand?
You have to fucking study. Understand?
But I know this.
Yeah? I'll give you... You know this?
Then you study the next chapter...
Then he started working in the mine.
...and you'll take the next one!
And buried me under a pile of books.
Studying.
That was all he cared about.
And I didn't.
Who knows what are
the three stages of cellular respiration?
Maybe Czernecki?
The stages of cellular respiration.
Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle,
and oxidative phosphorylation.
That answer is correct.
Phosphorylation comprises chemiosmosis
and the electron transport chain.
That's enough.
The released energy
creates a proton gradient which...
Sit down!
-Uncle?
-Jdrula.
Hop in.
Happy birthday, kiddo. Cheers to you.
What happened to you?
Too much studying.
Christ.
Show me your hand.
Gabi is a nurse.
Do you have a girlfriend?
I don't have time for that.
Rightly so.
Women are expensive to maintain.
You have to feed and water them.
And let them off the leash
twice a day for sex.
-Czesiek!
-You're right.
You can keep them on the leash
all the time.
Czesiek!
For a Geburtstag,
there needs to be a Geschenk.
Thank you.
Just don't get chocolate on the paper.
Beast.
And don't let your dad find it.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
I loved spending time with Uncle.
Unfortunately,
not everyone was happy about it.
Who gave it to you?
A friend at school.
A fucking friend? Where did you get this?
Edek! What are you doing to our son?
I've told you
that your fucking brother has to keep...
away from us. Have I not told you?
-Where are you going?
-To end this.
Dad!
You're staying.
I'll talk to you when I get back.
Dad!
Edek, wait.
Easy. Breathe.
I couldn't shake the thought
that whatever was happening to my father...
Take a breath. Easy.
...was entirely my fault.
One more time. Let it out. Breathe.
I didn't learn from textbooks
that Father's lungs
turned into a dirty, worn out sponge.
That day I convinced myself
that Father would get better.
I just had to do everything
he required of me.
The student with the highest GPA
in the whole year is
Jdrzej Czernecki.
I had never run home so fast.
I wanted to show him my grades,
so that he'd finally be proud of me.
EDWIN CZERNECKI'S LOST GOLD
EDWIN CZERNECKI'S DEFEAIt's okay.
It's okay.
After Father's death,
I didn't feel like studying.
I thought you wouldn't come today.
I wanted to forget.
Why?
I wanted life to be fair.
I thought the funeral was today.
-I feel for you.
-Shut up.
-What?
-Don't talk about my father.
-My dad said...
-Shut the hell up!
But most of all,
I wanted to fuck someone up.
Don't talk about my father!
Fuck! He wasn't a good man!
Let's fuck off.
I see you want to punch someone.
Are you deaf, princess?
Do you want to fight? Huh?
Then fight.
That's all you got?
Fight!
-Fight!
-Fuck!
Fight!
Now! Fight!
Czesiek, that's enough!
Schwester, trust me.
Fight!
You gonna cry, princess?
If you want to punch someone,
learn how to do it properly.
With your whole body!
Hide your chin! Yes!
Like a bull!
Dance!
Dance on the grave of every shithead
that stands in your way.
Fight! Drop your chin!
Enjoy! Live! Fight!
Jdrula...
you're ready.
Stop!
From the left!
I guess I wasn't ready.
POLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
No! Move that skinny ass!
Get up!
Darek!
Czernecki fell as if struck by lightning.
But let's not be cruel.
It's his first Polish championship.
So what if he got beaten like a girl
in front of thousands...
Seven.
Eight. You'll keep fighting? Okay.
Box!
End this already!
What a sequence of terribly strong blows.
Czernecki takes them all.
He's barely hanging on.
Stop!
Fortunately, the referee stops the round,
saving Czernecki.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I don't think Czernecki has inherited
his father's brilliant talent,
God rest his soul.
That was...
Great round. Everything's fine.
All's well, according to plan.
You've got him under control.
Jdrula.
Have you seen the boobs
of the woman in the first row?
-Where?
-There.
The announcer, Olympic champion Jurek,
does he have a mustache, or is he bald?
-No...
-What are you gawking at?
At the crowd!
And your opponent does whatever he wants!
Stop.
Czernecki's coach is trying to finish
what his opponent started.
Fucking stop!
-Stop, for fuck's sake!
-Or what?
-You gonna cry? Princess?
-Fuck!
I thought you came here to beat someone.
You're getting your ass whipped
like a pussy.
What? I'm a fucking pussy?
-Do you want to beat someone?
-Fuck yes!
-Then beat him!
-Let me at him! Fuck!
It seems like Czernecki
got a boost of strength.
Stop! Corner!
Knockout! Unbelievable!
Unbelievable!
Jdrzej Czernecki
is the champion of Poland!
Next step, the European championship
in London!
Well done, Jdru! Well done, Jdrula!
Yes!
Medals are being handed out
by the president
of the Polish Boxing Association,
comrade Konstanty Zalewski.
Bravo.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Congratulations.
To the future Olympic champion.
Our boy fought like a beast tonight.
-He can lose it all, like his father...
-Quiet!
What? Kid, don't take it personally.
No offense.
This year, there are many good boxers.
You're wasted again.
What are you, a teetotaler?
Czesiu...
I went to the Olympics twice.
And I won gold twice. Where did it get me?
I'm announcing some shit tournaments.
-Fuck.
-What have you done?
And you?
Just like his daddy!
Hi.
What are you reading?
A book.
That I've noticed.
Is it good?
FUNDAMENTALS OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Maybe in order to practice,
you'd like something organic to drink?
Vodka, I mean.
That was a joke?
-How was it?
-What do you think?
-What would you like?
-Some peace and quiet.
-And a drink?
-No.
One drink, and I'll dematerialize.
-Don't you understand the word "no"?
-No.
Nice talk.
Wait.
Wait a moment.
Ask me anything from this book.
Whatever you want.
If I don't answer,
I'll disappear right away.
-How generous.
-Yup.
I'll pay for dinner.
And a drink.
You clearly need one.
Name the three stages
of cellular respiration.
Pay the check at the bar and order...
Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle,
and oxidative phosphorylation.
Dumb luck.
What happened to you?
I accosted a girl at the bar,
and you know...
Nah. I had a fight.
The Polish championship.
-A fight?
-I won by knockout.
Congratulations.
Congratulations?
What?
-Nothing.
-What?
Well, what is boxing about?
What is boxing about?
Two brutes punching each other's faces.
-Yes.
-First one gets punched, then the other.
Rinse and repeat.
I don't know. It's boring.
I'd say that chemistry and boxing
have a lot in common.
Like what?
Both are super boring.
Then why do you box?
Why do you study chemistry?
-I asked first.
-I asked second.
I don't know.
There's something you don't know,
Mr. Boxer-Chemist?
You said you'd buy me wine.
I guess so.
Frania, give us wine, please.
The dusty one.
We promised each other we'd take it slow.
I wanted to win the Olympics,
Kasia wanted to get her degree.
Obviously, three weeks later,
we were already married.
Our honeymoon was like a dream.
It was warm.
Sunny.
We have the right to strike!
We met loads of fantastic people.
There was a buffet full of food.
And Thai massages.
We even started building a house.
Brick by brick.
It was perfect.
Don't kill yourself.
Jdrzej!
Come.
-Faster.
-Quiet.
Bag it.
-Women to work.
-Be quiet!
What?
-Someone will come.
-Quiet.
Hello? Who's there?
Quickly, take it!
I'll get you!
There they are!
-Marian!
-There!
Stop!
-Jurek, get them!
-There!
I didn't know then
that those were the best years of my life.
We didn't have money,
but we were madly in love.
Nothing could tear us apart.
Well,
except for death due to my stupidity.
It's going to look great.
Give me those bricks.
-Jesus, they're heavy.
-Careful.
I think we'll need more mortar.
Once it's finished,
we'll sit in it at night
and discuss important topics.
What do you think?
What?
The bricks.
They're cool.
What's up?
-Everything's fine.
-Everything's fine?
You can tell me if something's wrong.
I'm the champion of Poland,
and I have to steal bricks for my bathtub.
You know you can't get them anywhere.
I know.
I think we deserve more.
I mean, you deserve more.
I have a champion husband.
And our own apartment that he boxed for.
-Can it get better?
-It can.
See this? In what normal country
you can't buy Christmas ornaments?
But I love our Christmas tree.
And besides, I can't wait
to hang your Olympic medal on it.
Yeah. Then I'll announce fights
for the rest of my life.
Jesus. What is it, you grouch?
We have to leave Poland.
What?
We have to leave.
-Are you serious?
-Yes.
Very serious.
-But how?
-Normally.
I've got the university.
You've got the Olympics. And my parents...
Did Marie Curie win two Nobels
for sitting on her ass in Poland? No.
She went to France.
-So we should go to France?
-No! Not France. Better.
To England.
-England?
-The European championship is there.
You'd study at Cambridge
or, I don't know, Oxford.
University of London.
Exactly! You'd have a normal laboratory.
I'd go professional and earn millions!
Instead of... Yes!
And we'd wash our baby in a jacuzzi.
Not some bathtub made out of bricks.
Like proper people.
Where would our child go to school?
What do you mean? To the best school.
With beautiful, scented uniforms.
If it were a girl,
she'd have to learn horseback riding.
Cool, no problem.
We'd have a stable between the pool
and the garden maze.
You want our child
to get lost in the maze?
We'll make a second child.
Or a third, or a fourth.
We'll make a whole school.
THE BLACK
What are you doing? Focus.
What's going on with you today?
Uncle, I need to run away.
You're fucking with me. It's only 8 p.m.
No. In London, with Kasia.
We're not coming back.
Get out! You have a ten-minute break.
Chop, chop.
-Is this a joke?
-No.
So many years...
Man, I can taste the victory, and you...
You could be an Olympic champion.
And then what?
I'll announce fights like your friend?
What if I lose?
I'll work in the mine
for the rest of my life?
That's your problem.
No, come on.
-It's about your old man.
-No! It's about me.
About my life.
I want to earn like a professional.
You think your father didn't...
-Don't talk about him.
-He didn't lose.
Don't talk about him!
-But you don't know...
-Stop!
-He didn't lose...
-I said, "Stop"! Fuck!
I'm doing this with or without you.
He didn't lose.
Very pretty.
Do you still prefer a jacuzzi?
Then we've made a nice gift for someone.
-Do you have a plan?
-Yes.
We arrive at the hotel.
We wait until everyone's asleep, slip out,
and start searching for the legend.
-What?
-Brilliant.
What?
Are you sure you want to do this?
If you do this, it's a one-way ticket.
You'll never get in a ring
in Poland again.
They'll take away your medals and freedom.
They might even kill you.
And what about Kasia?
She won't have a degree.
Or a career.
Her friends won't say hi in the street.
Out of fear.
We're doing it.
-Jesus, your hand.
-No, it's fine.
Have you thought about her, Einstein?
How will you get her there? In a bag?
Don't you have friends who could help?
Maybe some guys
that smuggle crystals or fox furs?
Kasia is not a fox fur.
Jesus, I hate blood.
I know!
What?
I have an idea.
Do you have papers?
Okay.
I made an arrangement for Gabi
to go to the championship
to replace the team doctor's assistant.
-Congratulations.
-Please, shut the hell up.
Gabi is not going.
Kasia will go and pretend to be Gabi.
-But they're completely different.
-You don't say?
We've changed the photo.
But...
This letter says you're the new nurse.
Remember your birthdate.
What good is my birthdate?
I don't know anything about being a nurse.
Our friends from the Security Service
don't know either.
Show them the passport and the letter.
-And if they want something more?
-Kasia!
I don't know anything about medicines.
I don't know first aid.
What if somebody starts bleeding...
Get yourself together.
You both knew
this wouldn't be a walk in the park.
He does this to me every day.
If you feel like you can't do it,
you need to decide now.
She can do it. Can you do it?
Yes?
Help yourself.
Gabi, pack it up for them.
No! That's a lot of money.
It's nothing. It's enough for a start.
-No, come on, that's a lot...
-Don't mention it.
This is the address of a Pole
who lives there and will help you.
A friend of a friend
of a guy I once trained.
Kasia, you go first. We'll follow.
What, now?
-When do you think?
-I need to pee.
Holy smokes!
Fine, we'll go first, and you'll go after.
My...
Right... I already miss you. Left...
-Czesiek...
-My girls.
MILITIA
What's most important,
nobody can know that you know each other.
Trela, Czesaw.
Coach of the champion of Poland.
It checks out.
-Jdrzej Czernecki.
-I know.
Passport. For safekeeping.
We wouldn't want it to get lost.
Thanks.
Hi!
My friends from the Polish team.
Boxing champions in every weight class.
Most of these idiots
couldn't spell their own surname.
I think I'm in love.
Best in the nation.
Ass like a speed bag. Perfection.
But to the communists,
we were like a sexy ass in a tight dress.
There's a problem.
I don't see your name
on the passenger's list, citizen.
I'm a nurse.
I mean, I'm replacing a different nurse.
I mean, I'm also a nurse,
but the other one has the flu.
That's what they told me on the phone.
And I got this letter.
They told me to come here at 7 a.m.
Screw the tournament.
-I'm going to fuck this nurse.
-What?
What?
What? I mean, after I fuck her first.
Look at him, suddenly he's eager!
My mistake.
May I go?
Please exhale, citizen.
-Excuse me?
-Exhale.
You've been drinking.
-No...
-And it's not even 7 a.m.
-It's a syrup.
-Syrup?
You see, you don't look like a person
who likes to hit the bottle
in the morning.
That's why I'm going to ask only once.
What would you like to tell me, citizen?
I don't know if I should.
I'm afraid it'll come out anyway.
It will.
How long have you had
dark rings under the eyes?
Dark rings?
It looks to me like serious liver issues.
At an advanced stage.
I'd go to the doctor as fast as possible
if I were you.
As fast as possible.
Thank you.
Here she comes.
Gentlemen, be civil.
Greetings.
Good morning.
I'm Krzysiu.
-Hi.
-Hide your antenna.
Please, sit here.
-Good morning.
-Good morning.
You're the substitute?
Let's go.
Goodbye, empty store shelves,
stolen bricks,
and Christmas trees without ornaments.
I was going to a country
where I'd finally be respected.
When we crossed the border,
I felt that Czesiek's club
was becoming a distant, faded memory.
I didn't cry over it.
The most important thing
was still ahead of me.
Hey! We're here, dude!
Wake up! We're in London!
...and he hands me a trocar.
I look at him and say,
"Why would I need a trocar
if the patient's alive?"
When will they let us out? I need to pee.
Again?
How far along?
Excuse me?
How far along are you?
Good question.
I only needed a minute in London
to understand why the Secret Service dogs
were watching us so closely...
Ferrari!
...why they had taken our passports
and wouldn't let us leave the hotel.
Go inside.
'Cause the West was a different world.
Full of chances and possibilities.
-Dude, this is incredible!
-Yeah?
Look, Jdru.
-Free shampoo. In little bottles.
-Cool.
You know how fast it'll sell at home?
Like this!
-Yeah.
-Damn.
Jdru, have you seen the towels?
Good heavens.
-Jdru!
-What?
How many can I take before they realize?
How many will fit in your bag?
Okay.
Too bad the bathtub won't fit.
I thought a brick foundation was cool,
but this is beautiful.
I think it's marble!
Jdru, look!
Can I wear this to the ring?
Yeah. Is your name on it?
-No.
-So you're a nobody.
What are you doing?
-Who, me?
-Yeah.
I'm going to fuck the nurse.
What is the bag for?
A parachute.
Cool.
-I'll take a bath.
-Yeah.
Oh fuck.
-What are you doing?
-Quiet.
Have you gone mad?
Okay.
Listen. They're watching the corridor,
so we have to go out the window.
-You're joking.
-It's the only way.
-I won't go out the window.
-I'll carry you.
-Listen to me.
-You weigh only 110 pounds.
-You don't understand. I can't.
-Wait. Hush.
-You weigh 110 pounds.
-Listen!
-It's the third floor.
-I'm pregnant!
What are you saying?
-Oh my God. That's amazing.
-Wait...
-I can't do this, don't you get it?
-You can.
Czesiek was right, you know?
Yes, he was right. They'll catch us.
Where will I raise this kid?
In prison? They'll separate us!
Stop. Wait.
Listen to me.
Remember how we met?
When you asked why I boxed?
I box because it's the only happy memory
from my childhood.
Look!
See?
See the possibilities?
I do, and I don't want to lose them.
I want our son to grow up there.
To not experience what I did.
Fine, but I won't go down the wall.
Okay, you won't. We'll leave normally.
Okay, so.
The championship's tomorrow.
Before every fight,
I have 15 minutes to myself.
Fifteen minutes. That's our moment.
When you hear our name announced...
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
...you run as fast as possible to the exit.
Good morning!
Faster. Left hand higher. Higher.
Left.
Left, right.
Long left.
What's up?
I couldn't sleep.
There was a lot of noise in the corridor.
Will you win or throw in the towel?
Sure I'll win. When they announce me.
Good.
First one...
and the second one.
Good morning, doctor.
Hello, gentlemen. How may I help you?
I wanted to let you know
that if anything happened,
Wadek would be at your disposal.
I think that nurse Gabriela's help
is more than enough.
I insist.
We need to support the health service.
Right, Mr. Kruszelnicki?
Doctor Kruszelnicki, if you please.
Thank you.
The future Olympic champion
has to center himself. We better go.
I see you're working hard.
Yes, the doctor is preparing the room now.
Okay.
I need a minute.
Since our last conversation,
something's been bothering me.
My father worked his whole life
for the Party.
But he led a clean life.
No smoking.
No drinking.
He was a saint.
And on his 60th birthday,
he went to his room,
fell sleep, and...
died.
-Why are you telling me this?
-I'm asking you why.
I need to know why. Do you think it's...
hereditary?
Wait a minute.
We need to test your urine.
Urine?
Now?
As soon as possible.
It can save your life.
Okay.
-Out of my way.
-Okay.
Nurse! Where are you going now?
Gabi! We'll be suturing.
Get the suture kit!
Move!
Where is he? Did he run away?
It's impossible!
It can't be! What an...
Like father, like son!
You can't trust anyone. So many years...
Catch him! This is...
Catch him!
And... snip.
And...
snip.
Until next time.
Doctor, I'm going to the bathroom.
Yes, of course.
I'm looking for nurse Gabriela.
She was here somewhere.
Maybe she went to the bathroom.
-How may I help you?
-I need to leave this.
For safekeeping.
-Okay. What is it?
-Urine.
Urine?
My urine.
But in my cup.
Have you gone mad?
I'm very sorry, miss.
-But since you're here, I'm Bartosz.
-I'm in a hurry.
Nice to meet you, but...
Where's the nurse?
Was this supposed to be a joke?
You thought it would be funny?
Where is she?
-I don't know.
-What do you mean?
Fuck!
-He peed in this.
-There she is!
Hey!
Miss...
Hey!
Hey!
You!
Fuck!
Jdrzej, come!
-When will we be close?
-Don't worry.
-Give me that.
-No.
Give it to me!
What happened?
I tried to pick up a girl at the bar.
I'm serious. What happened?
We'll have a house like this!
Like this?
It's a bit small.
We'll build an extension. A bigger one.
You and I, and Tadeusz.
Come on, let's go.
Tadeusz?
Nice.
Isn't it there?
-What was the number?
-Thirty-one.
Thirty-one. It's this one.
What if he doesn't live here?
Maybe he's not home.
-What now?
-I don't know.
I'm Czesiek's nephew.
Which Czesiek?
Czesiek said you were
a friend of a friend.
We came from Poland.
Our uncle Czesiek owns a boxing club.
He said we could stay at your place.
Czesiek? The boxer?
-Yes.
-Bytom!
Yes!
Come in!
Such a long way!
From Bytom to London! How did you...
How did you manage to do it?
Kasia was running, and suddenly,
Czesiek knocked them down.
We jumped through the gate,
and now we're here.
-Thankfully, you've made it.
-Yes.
But that dick has our passports.
What if the police stop us
and ask us for IDs?
You're not in Poland.
Here, in England,
when something is bothering us,
we drink tea.
Okay.
-We're very grateful, Karol.
-Call me Charles.
-But I thought...
-I'm an Englishman now.
When I came to London,
I changed my name right away.
I'm Charles. Simply Charles.
Then I'll be Kate, and you'll be Jandrew.
Yes!
No, but...
-But... Yes.
-Sure.
We'd like to repay you.
No need. You don't have money anyway.
-No. We have something for you.
-But...
But I don't even box.
-No! Look!
-No!
See? Money's sewn inside.
We smuggled it across the border.
We'd like to share it.
You need it more.
I'm glad I can take in someone
with whom I can finally speak Polish.
Thanks.
I'll bring you an ointment for your hand.
Don't. There's no need.
We're here. Good luck.
-Although I think you don't need it.
-Thanks.
Thanks for the ride.
Neil McKavanagh's club.
I finally found my place on Earth.
Yes! This is way better
than Czesiek's rathole.
Yes.
Go on.
-He says it's a private session.
-Hey! Five minutes!
Wait. Hey!
Hey!
Neil!
Neil McKavanagh?
My name is Jdrzej Czernecki.
I'm the champion of Poland.
I want to become a professional boxer.
I want you to represent me.
He says he has his champions,
and you can box here,
but you have to pay.
You must have translated wrong. Wait!
Neil!
I'm a champion, and I can train anywhere,
but I'd like to train with you.
You're in luck.
I know.
He says they are already professionals...
I don't know, Jdrzej.
I think they don't want you. Let's go.
Hey! Tell him he's going to regret it.
-No!
-Fucking tell him! Kasia!
I destroyed schmucks like this Romanian
in the first round ten years ago.
Tell him I'll fuck them up. Go on.
Yes! Kill!
I wasn't afraid of communists.
I'm not scared of a Romanian.
I'll take all of your motherfucking belts,
got it?
I'll fucking destroy everyone here.
Tell him. I'll destroy everyone...
What did he say?
He wants to fight you.
He wants to fight?
What? No. Jesus, what about your hand?
Fuck my hand. Go.
-Don't...
-Go!
-Please, don't.
-Go.
-But your hand.
-Fuck my hand. Go!
Go. Don't humiliate me.
Go.
Come on.
Let's fucking go.
Let's fucking go!
Fucking come here.
-Jdrzej.
-Go away.
-Go away.
-Don't get up.
Jdrzej.
-Don't get up.
-No.
Fucking go!
Why the fuck did you come here?
I told you to stay outside.
Why did you come inside?
-Can you tell me why?
-I was worried about you.
-You were lying on the floor.
-So what?
This is boxing.
Sometimes you lie, sometimes you get up.
-I had him. I would have won.
-With an arm like this?
It doesn't matter!
Don't you understand? I asked you!
I asked you to wait outside.
And what did you do?
You came inside, right?
And now I can't go back.
I can't go back there
'cause you've embarrassed me.
In front of the biggest coaches
in England!
-What does he want?
-He says he's Jackie Boss.
I know what he says.
Ask him what he wants.
-Is he making fun of me?
-Calm down.
"I fight good." Heard that?
What?
He says he's looking for...
-What is he saying?
-I don't know.
That he slept with a fat woman.
Fuck this shit. Let's go.
What does he want?
I'm not sure, but I think he wants you to...
lose a fight for money.
Fuck you, you hear me? Fuck you.
-But listen...
-Let's go!
Fuck off.
Let's go.
-It doesn't mean they won't...
-Give me a minute.
Fucking hell. Jdrzej!
-What?
-Jdrzej, come here!
-Jdrzej, come here!
-What is it?
Look.
Oh fuck.
Fuck.
-Fucking hell.
-What's going on?
-What the fuck is going on?
-What's the matter?
What is the fucking matter? What is this?
-Jesus Christ.
-"Jesus Christ" fucking what?
You've been robbed.
He's lying to our faces!
-Fuck.
-What?
Where the fuck is our money?
-Why would I steal in my own home?
-Give us our money!
Jdrzej, stop! We don't have passports,
don't you understand?
If the police come,
who will they believe? They'll arrest you!
Listen to your wife.
Put your brain cells to work, Jdru.
Maybe we should call the police? Huh?
We'll tell them how I took you in
out of the goodness of my heart,
and now you're accusing me of theft?
That's how you repay me?
-Fuck!
-Jdrzej!
I knew something was up with him.
You know the worst part? He's a Pole.
Fucking compatriots.
We should support each other.
We left Poland
to escape motherfuckers like him.
Jdrzej, come on.
Kasia was afraid they'd arrest us.
I was afraid they'd deport us.
Instead, we got a taste of something
that was basically unobtainable
in communist Poland.
The taste of mercy.
Living room, playroom.
Though I hope you won't have kids here.
Let me remind you,
prejudice based on nationality or race
won't be tolerated.
To the left,
communal bathrooms and showers.
No guests, no animals.
Everyone cleans up after themselves.
Here we are.
Oh, and there's a curfew.
If you're not in the center by 7 p.m.,
you sleep outside.
Thank you for everything.
What do they want? Gypsies.
-Jesus, calm down. They want to say hi.
-What do they want now?
Polska, kurwa.
-Polska?
-Poland.
Sayonara.
I don't want to be here.
How long will we stay here?
Six months? Eight? A year?
I want to go home.
Hey...
Kasia.
Calm down. Easy.
How can I calm down?
How will we raise a child here?
Kasia. Honey.
Everything's going according to plan,
but a little slower.
You think there's only one boxing club
in London?
McKavanagh will regret not signing me
for the rest of his life.
We'll be laughing at this in a month.
Listen. You're Kate, and I'm Jandrew.
Come here.
And this...
This is the last night
we're some
poor losers from Poland.
Hey.
Everything starts tomorrow.
We'll be good.
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
Kurwa.
You punch like a wagina.
First, Yu, fuck you,
and second, you say "pizda," not "wagina."
So, this guy is a pizda?
Yup. A big pizda. Let's go.
My arm was getting better.
Too bad I couldn't say the same
about everything else.
Czesiek went to jail for treason.
I couldn't go back to Poland.
If that wasn't enough,
the bitch from TV kept reminding me
about that fuckface Roy Barber.
The only consolation
were the packages my mom sent.
JDRZEJ CZERNECKI:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
Hey, Kasia. Nice tits.
Shame on you. I'll tell your wife,
and you'll be in trouble.
What did you teach him?
You know, some basic Polish words.
How's your day?
Don't ask. Svetlana was an hour late,
which made me an hour late
to the hotel.
I had a talk with the manager.
God, my feet hurt.
Allow me, ma'am.
What's this?
Nothing. I'm a star in Poland.
How's my little champion?
He kept punching me in the bladder today.
Yeah?
A true boxer.
His boxing made me
want to pee all the time.
-I didn't have time to go to the bathroom.
-Maybe we should buy you a potty.
Or a diaper,
so that Tadek gets one after his mommy.
-How was your day?
-Very good.
I'm training. I'll have a fight soon.
I just have to pay for the gym.
-Pay for the gym?
-To have no debt.
Tell him we don't have money.
But we do.
You do.
That money is for an apartment.
That's what I'm saying.
We'll pay for the gym,
I'll get a fight and win it...
You hear yourself?
I'm nine months pregnant.
-When will you win?
-We have three more. Calm down.
I'm fucking sick
of your stupid little jokes.
How was I supposed to train
with a broken arm?
For all I know, it healed some time ago.
And how do you know
how fast a boxer's arm heals?
Man, could you finally wake up?
You'll be a father soon.
Do you see a crib here?
Or onesies, or diapers?
-And you want to spend our savings?
-I need to box.
I'm tired of listening
to this fucking bullshit!
"One more month.
I've found a guy who'll fix me up."
He won't fix you shit.
Because you mean nothing to these people.
So let's fucking go home.
-You understand?
-Yeah?
Where do you want to go?
-We don't have a home.
-Yeah?
If I go back,
I'll go to prison, don't you understand?
You want money?
Here you go. Is this enough?
-No, stop.
-Here. More for the prince.
Of course the prince needs more money.
Here you fucking go.
I'll keep working my ass off
without so much as a piss break...
What happened?
Sit down. What's going on?
I don't know! It hurts!
Yu! Uyen! Come here!
Fucking hell, I know that much.
Don't pick me up!
Take my shoes!
I'm sorry.
I know how much you sacrificed to be here.
But I think
we need to go back home for him.
Yes. See?
Tadzik wants to go home, yes?
Yes. Tadzik.
It'll be fine.
We'll make an official apology.
You're a great champion.
They will definitely want to use
your talent.
Fuck.
Yes, darling, Mommy will come back soon.
Ready?
Bye, champ.
Wait a moment.
-She'll be fine.
-I know. It's not about that.
JDRZEJ CZERNECKI:
PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE
What?
Shit.
Jesus, just open it.
No way.
Here's my blankie.
Oh gosh.
-Fits me like a glove.
-I measured you when you were sleeping.
Really?
Oh gosh.
-Beautiful.
-Jdrzej.
I know what kind of fight this is.
Remember, you'll always be a champion
to me and Tadzik.
Let's go.
We'll be late.
-You know what you're doing?
-A hundred percent.
No problemas.
Yeah.
Okay, Limey, stop yapping.
Hello, princess.
Uncle.
Fuck.
What are you doing here?
-Jdrula!
-What are you doing here?
Are you joking?
You're going professional.
I wouldn't miss it
for all the tightest pussies in the world.
Who is the gnome?
This is...
Your coach?
Nope. He helps me with taping and stuff.
Better tell me who's in your corner.
Yu.
Yu. This is supposed to be
professional boxing?
No. It's not like that.
I'll be in your corner.
-Stop, Uncle.
-Enough of this shit.
Look, Jdrula.
Since I'm here,
I'll make myself useful.
I still remember something.
And you, Yu.
You can learn something.
What's with your leg?
In prison,
I wanked a bit too much, and my hip broke.
Look.
You cover the knuckle.
And wrap the rest up. Here.
Time to get serious.
This guy
is not some twat from the Olympics.
-He wants to be the champion.
-Uncle.
This fight is different.
We fight, and we win.
-Live and rule.
-Yes, but...
-Victory or death, understood?
-Yes, but this fight is a bit different...
Cut the crap.
Fight.
You were born to do this, son.
To win.
Don't be pizda.
You hear this silence? Enjoy it.
After tonight,
you'll never hear it again. Never.
Come on.
Come on!
What is he doing?
Don't provoke him. What are you doing?
Fuck!
-Yes!
-Come on!
What are you doing?
Who welded you to the floor?
It's going to be lights out for you
if you don't move.
Stay ahead of him.
His left ball is hanging.
It's not a circus.
Don't be a clown. Be a boxer.
Get up!
Fight.
You were born to do this, son. To win.
Yes! Fuck him up!
Yes!
Yes!
Get the fuck up.
You messed him up. He dropped his left...
The fuck is he saying?
What?
You keep hitting. Now you've got him.
He's messed up.
Yes! Bam! Champ!
Yeah, yeah.
Finish him!
Yes, finish him!
Finish him!
Yes! Jdrula!
I'm staying, bitches.
I'm staying.
That's how you do it!
Best debut ever. You're a champ.
Yes, Jdrula. There was a crisis,
but you overcame...
What?
Don't come in! Don't...
A hell of a fight.
Finally, someone speaks normally.
You fought as if you had hammers
instead of fists.
But tell me,
why was your Kasia so sad,
and, I don't know, kind of scared?
Kasia?
Your Kasia.
Nah, she wasn't scared.
No? But I saw it myself.
She was sitting right across from me.
She was looking at me
as if I were some fucking boogieman.
Fuck.
Seriously.
If you don't believe me, ask Jackie.
Fuck.
Imagine that Jackie promised me
you would get knocked out
in the second round.
And you did get knocked out
in the second round.
So I got up and wanted to leave.
I had a fucking fantastic evening planned.
Friends, ladies,
a beautiful, fat,
fresh lobster for dinner.
The bomb.
And suddenly,
you got the fuck up.
-Why wouldn't he get up?
-Hey.
Fuck.
What was the name of the guy who died?
And then came back?
Jesus.
If I had listened to my daddy, I'd know.
But I'd probably still be in Poland,
wearing shit-covered rubber boots.
Instead, I'm wearing leather oxfords.
So I went back
to see the balls of the guy
who was about to fuck me.
Imagine my surprise when I found out
that guy wasn't a serious boxer,
but a fucking kid from Bytom.
Who doesn't have a job or a passport,
has a son called Tadzik...
-Hey.
-Wait.
...and lives
in some lousy immigration center.
And that kid took out his cock
and fucked me.
You fucked me, you understand?
You screwed me.
You know how much you made me lose?
Do you? Five years.
For five fucking years
I've been building O'Brian's career.
Brick by brick, day by day. Five years!
And some dick from Bytom came
and fucked it all up in one night.
-Should've chosen better bricks.
-What did you say?
I didn't come here to lose.
I came to be the world champion.
And my son will wear oxfords like yours.
Fuck.
Fuck, he has balls.
Seriously, you have fucking balls.
Okay.
We'll see what will come of this.
What's this?
-Move! My husband is there!
-I think it's Kasia.
Yeah. Kasia might be...
Scared.
Out of my way!
Get out of my way!
Jdrzej! Is everything okay?
-Better than okay. I signed a contract.
-What?
-This is Nicky.
-What contract?
-Don't sign anything with him.
-Stop.
-Trust me, he's not a good person.
-He's Polish.
Didn't I tell you?
-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you.
-Kasia.
It's alright.
You don't have to apologize.
We're family now.
Call me Nikodem.
Kasia.
Welcome to the family, Nikodem.
Call me Czesiu.
Okay, enough business for today.
Go have fun.
Thanks.
Don King once said in an interview
that real warriors should fight,
not read contracts.
Bye, Nikodem!
These things seem stupid
until you meet someone
as charismatic as Nikodem.
-Hi. It's your daddy, the champion.
-Kasia!
Mommy didn't believe.
Mommy said my dream was over.
But my dream isn't over.
This is just the beginning.
You'll see.
The whole world will know our name.
Yeah, but first,
we need to make you a professional.
What?
You've let yourself go, fatso.
Tomorrow we start intense training.
Fine. Tadziu must get to know his grandpa.
Princess, don't call me grandpa.
I came here to score English pussies...
Hold your grandson.
What a small thing.
What a small thing.
I keep going back to that night.
Look at his left.
We were like a happy family.
The clerk took one look at Czesiek's leg
and allowed him to stay.
The next morning, we went to Nicky's club.
Almost like Grnik in Sosnowiec.
-Yeah.
-The boxers are more tan.
Here they are.
-Jdrzej.
-Good morning.
-And Czesiek.
-You!
Can you tell me what he's doing here?
-Czesiek?
-Yes, Czesiek.
What do you mean?
I mean that last night,
if I'm not wrong, we made a deal.
Czesiek was not part of that deal.
But...
Czesiek is my coach.
I wouldn't be here without him.
Long punches. And legs.
Good. Fight.
Czesiek has to be in my corner.
You see, it just so happens
that it isn't your corner.
It's my corner.
If you want to fight for me,
I'll decide who stands in it. Okay?
Friend.
You're the coach
of the guy from yesterday.
The chocolate one.
The one Jdrula knocked out.
Yeah, yeah.
We'll train a lot with Jdrula.
-You'll learn something...
-Czesiu.
Pierre.
Stop jerking around. Jdrula, warm up.
Uncle.
The thing is...
Nicky says we have to work as a team.
And?
He said Pierre was his right-hand man.
-We have to listen to him.
-What do you mean? Listen how?
Just listen. He'll be my official coach.
This Frogeater? He doesn't know anything.
He'll be your coach?
What can I do? Nicky said so.
Don't worry. Nothing will change.
How will it work?
You'll come to training and observe.
Then we'll work together.
Just not during the official training.
Is that okay with you?
Sure, it's okay. Sure.
You'll always be my Jdrula.
And not some... Jandrew.
Let's go.
-Let's go.
-Pierre!
Pierre!
Legs closer.
For Czesiek and Pierre,
it wasn't love at first sight.
When Hitler came,
the French weren't so smart.
What?
Jackie Boss eagerly set about
finding me appropriate opponents.
This time, he made sure
that everything would go well.
Maybe even too well.
Since then I was known as...
The Polack, obviously.
Nicky pulled a few strings
and got me documents.
Today I can declare with pride
that the wind of big changes is blowing.
When the Berlin Wall fell,
more and more Poles
started coming to my fights.
They're writing about you, son.
-See you at the club?
-Sure thing.
-We'll get you out of here soon.
-I know.
I finally fulfilled my promise.
Can you believe it?
Tadek!
Your parents have an amazing bedroom.
And your mommy has a jacuzzi.
Well, your mommy and daddy.
Isn't it weird
that this guy is giving us a house?
Fuck.
Nicky is old-school.
To guys like him,
compatriots are like blood ties.
Karol was a compatriot.
Karol was a shit-patriot.
Tadziu, let's go.
Let's look for your room.
Let's go to your room.
Nobody will be complaining there.
THREE YEARS LATER
Get the fuck up! Fucking hell.
Get the fuck up. Fucking hell.
Fuck...
Nicky, what the fuck?
Can you get me a normal opponent?
I want to fight Barber, not some losers.
Jdrula.
Or do you need me to ask in Polish?
Look at all those coaches,
managers, assistants,
and who fucking knows what else.
It's not boxing anymore. It's...
a circus with clowns.
If your father were alive,
he'd kill these Limeys with laughter.
Can you finally shut the fuck up?
What?
If I hear one more thing about Poland
or the good old times,
I'll hit my head through a wall!
Fucking what? Look at yourself.
You look like a fucking dumpster hobo.
Four fucking years you've lived here,
and you can't even say a word in English.
You just complain
and drink from your fucking flask.
If it weren't for me...
Then fucking what?
-Then what?
-If it...
-If it...
-You can't even speak Polish.
-Jdrzej, please!
-What?
-We'll talk tomorrow...
-Fuck no!
We won't talk now
or in a million fucking years, got it?
-Jdrek...
-I don't fucking need you, got it?
I don't need
this fucking Polish whining and shit.
You've never been my coach,
and you never fucking will be, got it?
Jdrzej!
What now, bitch?
It's fucking Poland, not Albania!
You'll be a legend.
What is this?
A ticket to paradise.
What was that?
What?
That girl in the men's bathroom.
Journalists. Come on.
I don't have children.
At least I'm not aware of any.
Anyone to whom I could pass on my legacy.
But tonight I realized something.
I realized that when my time comes,
I won't regret any wasted years.
I'll be happy and fulfilled
because my protg,
my champion,
the son I never had,
will have achieved great things.
It breaks my heart.
I've sacrificed so much for him.
But apparently,
some people you can't help.
I'm guessing
he didn't read the contract either.
Hey.
Kasia, wait. Believe me.
I wouldn't be where I am now
if I didn't honor my commitments.
Are we going to pretend
that what just happened was normal?
He came out of nowhere.
We're having a nice time.
If you don't want people
to come to you unannounced,
you shouldn't give them reasons to.
-Why do you keep answering for him?
-What?
Kasia, believe me, it's not pleasant
saying goodbye to your fighter.
It's the worst part of our job.
Luckily, your husband is very talented.
Thank you very much for dinner.
I think we'll go home now.
Yes, let's go home.
I just wanted to ask. Is it even ours?
Hey!
I sometimes wonder
if we're sleeping in our own house.
Let's go. Now.
Yes, champion.
I'm sorry.
See you tomorrow at 8 a.m.
We'll talk about the fight.
-Yes, sorry.
-Good night, Kasia.
-Are you fucking crazy?
-What?
You know what.
You've offended Nicky.
What the hell were you thinking?
-I don't trust him.
-Then you have a problem!
He gave us everything.
He let me fight...
He let me fight and got you
out of the fucking immigration center!
And you're making him a scene
in his restaurant?
-In front of his friends.
-Are you that blind?
I'm blind? Look at yourself.
You have a house, a new car, a fur coat.
A husband fighting
in the world championships.
All thanks to that man.
But no, it's not enough for you.
It's never enough for you!
-He did the same for Rascal.
-Rascal! It's my night, understand?
Not Rascal's or Barber's.
Not Czesiek's either.
Fuck you.
Jdrzej, he came to England for you.
-To help you.
-But he didn't fucking help.
It's Czesiek! What's up with you?
I'll be the greatest boxer in history,
do you understand?
No, you don't understand.
You've never understood.
Remember The Legends?
When I asked you to stay outside?
You had to fucking get inside
and humiliate me
in front of the best coaches
in the country.
And when Tadek was born,
you wanted to go back to Poland.
And when Nicky gave me a contract,
you called him names.
You know why? I'll tell you why.
'Cause you don't fucking believe in me.
-I don't?
-Yes. You say, "Your dream is over."
-I don't believe in you?
-Yes, you.
-I don't believe?
-Yes!
I worked my ass off in a foreign country
just so you could keep punching
a fucking bag.
Have you forgotten
that I dropped out for you,
left my parents,
and fucking escaped from Poland for you?
-Where's my London University?
-Come on.
-Where's my laboratory?
-Come on!
So don't tell me I don't believe in you
because everything has been for you.
I'm glad we're being honest.
That all of it is not for you,
not for Tadek, not for us, but for me.
That's not what I meant.
Where are you going?
Jdrzej!
Fuck!
Fuck.
Jdrzej.
What are you doing here?
-I got scared...
-Sorry, could you...
I got scared when you didn't come home.
I thought something happened.
Like what?
I don't know. You always come home.
I went to see Czesiek.
-Czesiek?
-Yes.
I wanted to see if he was okay.
-And?
-You know how he is. He's a tough guy.
Yeah.
I'm happy you two are talking.
I wanted to apologize for yesterday.
I know you have a lot on your plate.
I want you to feel
that I always support you.
Something just broke in me yesterday.
I don't know.
-The last six years were hard for me.
-Jesus. Six years?
Yes. This Thursday
will be the sixth anniversary of you...
accosting me in a bar.
Listen. Let's do it like in the old days.
You know, you're mad at me now.
Perfect timing.
We'll drink Guinness
instead of white wine.
Huh? Maybe on Thursday.
But Tadzik's birthday is on Thursday.
-Then...
-We can combine it.
That's what I'm saying.
-A big party?
-It doesn't have to be big.
Yes! We'll have a big cake,
plenty of food, tons of presents.
-Fireworks visible in all of London.
-Fireworks?
Kasia!
Kasia, dear, what are you doing here?
-Nicky! Hi.
-Hi.
I didn't know
you'd grace us with your presence today.
-You look beautiful.
-Thank you.
Look at this guy. He got a chance
to fight for the world championship,
and what does he do?
He's late.
-It's my fault.
-Don't apologize, Kasia.
I've always said that family comes first.
Yes.
-I have to go.
-I'll go too.
-I love you.
-Love you too.
-Bye.
-Bye.
Listen, this thing with Barber
got a lot of attention.
To create buzz around the fight,
I need to pull many strings. But...
one is crucial.
Eva just called. You know, the journalist.
Nice piece of ass.
She wants to interview you on Thursday.
Live, in prime time.
-What? That's great, no?
-No.
-Why?
-What time?
-Is there a problem?
-No...
-Hey.
-What time?
Whenever I fucking tell you.
But it's Tadzik's birthday.
We're having a party.
You're invited, of course...
You're talking
like you're still in Poland.
Why choose when you can have it all?
You'll do the interview.
I'll keep an eye on the party.
You'll join us when you finish.
Nobody will fucking notice
you're not there.
-So?
-Okay.
-Yeah.
-You're right.
Next issue. Listen...
Fucking hell.
It's starting!
-Tadzik!
-Be right back!
Stop, please.
Tadzik, your dad's on TV.
You'll ruin your eyes.
It's my birthday!
Tadzik, Dad is being silly. Don't worry.
-It was fucking awesome.
-Yeah.
That cameraman was laughing hard.
That man? Whole England was laughing.
You're good at this, you know.
Camera loves you.
Seriously? You mean it?
-What's this?
-You can't go dressed like an accountant.
Wait, where?
To the fucking party of the year.
-Today?
-Yup.
But...
But I can't. It's my son's birthday.
Jdrzej.
You need to understand that in this world,
connections are everything.
Everyone you need to know
will be at this party.
You're lucky you can go there.
If you even care about being on top.
But okay. Maybe next time.
So beautiful!
Tadek. These are Oxfords.
From the best shoemaker in London.
Thank you, Nicky.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
So?
Let's open the next one. Here you go.
Who is it from?
Open it, see for yourself.
Another pair of boxing gloves?
You don't have yellow ones.
When will Dad come?
I think he'll be here
for the fireworks, honey.
-Are you sure?
-Yes.
Earlier you said
he'd come for the presents,
and now you say
he'll come for the fireworks.
Honey... How about another gift?
Wait.
Fuck.
Your wife's calling?
Pick up. Maybe she misses you.
I think I have to...
-Maybe I'll pick up?
-No! Stop.
-Eva.
-No? I'll just say hi.
No. Are you crazy?
-Jdrzej?
-Hello?
-Hi.
-Hello?
Are you coming back?
Yes, I'm here.
The show's producers
invited me for a drink.
They said it was their tradition.
You know how it is.
I need to say hi to everyone,
talk to everyone. It takes a lot of time.
Listen, I tried to set off the fireworks.
But Tadzik said
that only Dad could handle it.
Hello? Hello, Jdrzej?
What?
I'll make it up to him.
But he's asking about you, and I...
I don't know what to tell him.
I know, but it's not
his last birthday, right?
There'll be a few others,
so he'll manage to forgive me and forget.
Jdrzej, he needs you.
Oh, fuck.
Okay, I need to go.
Take care.
Be careful.
Are you going or staying?
This party
is the bomb!
Kaka.
Come here.
Sit down.
Come.
Take a seat.
Here you go.
I'll tell you something.
Women are...
so stupid, right?
But you're smart.
Listen to me.
You're beautiful.
Good.
Smart.
You're...
the smartest girl
any of us clowns has ever met.
It's a shame...
it turned out like...
this.
Here, have a smoke.
-No.
-Go on.
And then have a drink.
It helps when it hurts.
You don't know...
how much I love you guys.
I know, Czesiu.
Mom! Jan and Benjamin have to go home.
Will you set off the fireworks?
Rug rat.
This is not a job for your beautiful mom.
But for a real man.
-I'll set them off, you pyro.
-Yay!
Fight.
Don't give up.
Come here, Tadzik!
Come on.
It'll go boom!
Let's go.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Kasia?
Kasia!
Fuck!
Yeah?
You think you can just leave me? Great!
Kasia disappeared...
-There?
-Fucking great, huh?
...Eva moved in...
and anyone who says
that balance is the key to success,
has never heard of cocaine.
Before I got my shit together,
I'd wasted half a year.
Half a year wasted on chasing popularity...
Fuck!
...frolicking with Eva...
and anything Jackie brought to me.
I had just forgotten
about one tiny detail.
To win a championship...
you have to train.
Fuck, it's a funny thing.
Your fight is getting closer,
but I don't see you in the club.
I thought I had to check my eyes, but no.
-Pierre says he doesn't see you either.
-I'm sorry, Nicky.
I don't know what's going on.
I can't sleep.
Kasia ran away with Tadek.
I don't know where, somewhere in Poland.
Tell me,
are we in a church right now?
What?
Am I in a cassock? I'm not a priest.
You don't need to confess to me.
I don't care at all.
Get it through your thick head
that when you come to train,
you leave all your problems
behind the door, okay?
-You're joking?
-Do I look like I'm fucking joking?
I've invested a lot of money in you.
And you come to me crying
that your old lady left you?
I understand.
-I came to you like to a father.
-I'll tell you something.
I don't give a flying fuck
if I'm a daddy, mommy, sister, cousin,
or a fucking goldfish to you.
We have obligations to each other.
You know that
if you don't meet these obligations,
there will be consequences.
-Are you threatening me?
-Fucking please.
How am I threatening you?
I'm just reminding you of our agreement.
So we're talking business now?
So if this is strictly business,
give me my money, and I'll fuck off.
What money?
What do you mean?
The money I fucking earned
with these fists and balls.
Okay, let's check in my notebook
how much money I owe you. Okay?
It's a long list.
First item: 500,000 pounds.
That's how much I had spent
on O'Brian's career
before you prematurely stopped it.
But you promised to pay it back.
Where is it? Here's your contract.
-Rascal O'Brian?
-You don't remember Rascal?
Such a big guy. Fucking great boxer.
Reliable, punctual, with a great family.
You said it was a bad investment,
so I listened to reason
and thought
I'd choose better bricks.
Fuck it. Then take the 500,000,
and give me the rest.
And the beautiful villa that you live in?
How much do you think it costs?
Huh? It's 8,000 pounds a month.
But I got you a discount,
so it's not 8,000, but 7,000.
I didn't want a house from you.
You didn't want it, but you needed it.
You wouldn't become a champion
in a fucking immigration center.
And I promised you
you'd become a champion.
You realize you've been living there
for three years?
Fucking hell, time flies by.
Let's count it.
It'll be 7,000 pounds
times 12 months a year times three years.
In total,
252,000 pounds. With a discount.
What's important,
you've saved 36,000 pounds thanks to me.
I got you a Jaguar.
That's 1,700 pounds a month in leasing.
-Gym is 700 pounds...
-What?
...with a member discount.
Now Pierre, your coach.
Do you know that old fuck
charges you 10,000 pounds every month?
Even when you don't train.
Another 60,000 pounds
for using my towels...
What fucking towels?
-And 40,000.
-What the fuck?
For clothes, hotels,
drinks at my restaurant, and so on.
-What the...
-What?
-Leather oxfords?
-Yes, from the best shoemaker in London.
-That was a fucking gift!
-Yes, a gift.
-From you.
-But you gave them to him!
Why the fuck would I give him
such expensive shoes?
You wanted him to wear them.
That's why I'll never have kids.
Fucking parasites.
Fuck!
In conclusion,
the sum total of your expenses
is 1,919,120 pounds and 19 pence.
So you still owe me
420,000 pounds plus interest.
-Interest?
-Interest is...
I fucking know what interest is!
-Then why the fuck do you ask?
-Fuck you, you bitch!
Jdrzej, believe me, it's hard for me too.
I'm really shaken up.
Yeah? Then I won't fucking fight.
I won't fight. What then?
You're nothing without me, you bitch!
Nicky Nobody.
Okay.
Listen, we're professionals.
Let's deal with it like professionals.
I'm not pressuring you or anything.
Simply give me your house and car keys,
pay back what you owe me,
and we'll be fertig.
Or you can relax,
think some things through,
and win that fucking championship belt.
Then a few more fights,
and you'll be in the clear.
Whatever you decide,
I'll support you.
Like a father.
Uncle, it's me.
Uncle.
I'm sorry.
You hear me? I'm sorry.
You were right about the English.
Hey!
No! Fuck, no!
Fuck, no! Uncle! Fuck!
Jesus! Uncle!
Fuck! No!
Fuck!
Fuck!
He always said this helped when it hurt.
Thank you for coming.
How could I not come? It's Czesiek.
Are you okay?
Yeah, you know...
I have this fight. I'm training a lot.
Good.
Listen, we didn't have a chance to talk.
I know. All this time,
I've wanted to talk.
Maybe since I'm in town,
you'll find a moment?
Of course.
Of course I'll find a moment.
Tonight at my place. I'll make dinner.
Sorry, can I help you?
I came to say goodbye to Czesiek.
Go ahead.
Wait, please.
-Ready?
-Do I look like I'm ready?
I don't know.
That's why I asked. I'm cold.
I know you're cold. You know why?
'Cause you've said that
about 40,000 times.
You know why you're cold?
'Cause it's fucking cold!
If you want to go, fucking go.
Take these shoes, fucking car keys,
take your pouty face, and fuck off!
Are you fucking crazy?
Jdrzej!
-Hello?
-What's up? Are you resting?
No, I'm cooking.
Say what? You're cooking?
Listen, I have a favor to ask.
If you could get tickets...
Two VIP seats near the corner
would be great.
We're sold out.
But it's for Kasia and Tadek.
It's important to me.
Fucking hell.
-Fine, as long as you focus on the fight.
-Sure, I'll focus.
Okay, gotta go. Bye.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Yeah...
Sorry, it's a bit messy.
I thought you'd come later.
Everything's ready there.
You look beautiful.
Sure, but I have a flight to catch today.
There'll be another flight tomorrow.
How about wine? Do you want some wine?
I got front-row tickets for you and Tadek.
-Jdrzej...
-I'll sort everything out.
It'll be great again.
Actually, I only came to give you this.
What the fuck is this?
We didn't have a chance to talk...
Because when I woke up, you were gone.
Okay.
And you come to Czesiek's funeral
to give me fucking divorce papers!
I came to the funeral
because he was an important person...
Yeah?
If you can't talk to me like an adult...
I'm fucking making things for you,
preparing everything,
beautifully cutting lettuce and mushrooms
instead of training!
I want it to be nice for the lady, but no,
you come here and give me this shit?
Listen, you've got your life,
and I've got mine.
-Sign the papers. Let's move on.
-Are you with someone?
-I can see it.
-I'm not.
Who's fucking you?
Give me his name.
Huh?
Kasia! Wait!
I'm sorry! Kasia, dear, hey.
Kasia.
I overreacted. I'm sorry.
Listen. I'm a bit fucking angry,
kind of sad.
About Czesiek,
the championship, everything.
I need you.
I simply need you.
Remember how we used to be?
Back in Poland?
How good it was?
We had our bathtub,
our dreams, our bricks.
It was so beautiful.
We were so in love. Everything was simple.
We're so close to fulfilling our dreams.
They're our dreams.
We have to fulfill them.
Jdrzej, listen to me.
They were never my dreams, understand?
-They were yours.
-Come on...
I came to England for you.
Because I loved you.
-Yes.
-But it's all gone.
The bricks, the bathtub, us.
So I'm begging you.
Please, just let me leave.
What the fuck?
You have a taxi waiting?
You came only for a fucking moment?
-Fucking wait.
-Let me go!
You think you can just leave me?
Get the fuck out of here right now!
Fuck off! Got it?
Doesn't everything that's happened
between us matter to you?
It's not over. You hear me? It's not over!
I'll fucking come
and take Tadek away from you!
I'll take Tadek away from you,
and you'll end up on the street! Alone!
Fuck!
Fuck...
Fuck.
Harder.
Yes!
Kill!
Fucking kill!
Kill me, bitch!
Kill me!
Kill!
Kill me!
Kasia!
HERE LIES EDWIN CZERNECKI
LOVING HUSBAND AND FATHER
Why?
Why did you leave me?
FUTURE SITE OF BYTOM PLAZA
KONSTANTY ZALEWSKI FOR PRESIDENBoxers get old.
Grow fat.
Drink too much.
In the end, they die.
Like my father.
Like Czesiek.
And like this club.
You were better at running.
Easy.
I come in peace.
No more chasing, okay?
-How did you know I'd be here?
-Didn't you know where I worked?
Then don't ask stupid questions.
You fought beautifully.
But... who knows?
If I had watched you more closely,
this might have never happened.
What do you want?
To say thanks.
To you and your wife.
For what?
For saving my life.
Your Kasia was a better nurse
than she thought.
Remember when Kasia told Wadek
a bunch of crap
about dark rings under his eyes?
She made a comment about...
Well...
...rings under my eyes...
It turned out that...
she had been right again.
Get this, I've been diagnosed with cancer.
Konstanty and Henryk
blamed my escape on Wadek.
Before he left, he had taken
a few wiretap recordings as a memento.
One recording was made
a long time ago in Czesiek's club.
Edwin, I'll tell it to you straight.
At the Olympics, you'll throw the fight.
Do you understand?
When you fight the Russkie, you'll lose.
-Are you kidding me?
-Czesiu, fuck!
I fully trust you, Edwin.
I'm putting the fate of the Soviet Union
in your hands. Do you understand?
Have you thought about what'll happen
to your son if the Soviet Union falls?
Will he grow up?
Will he box?
You'd like him
to become the world champion, right?
And what if something bad
happens to him? Edwin?
Huh?
Think about it.
Gentlemen, good luck at the Olympic Games.
Cheerio.
-Assholes from Warsaw!
-Czechu!
You'll just leave it
after so many years of hard work?
-The Olympics come first!
-Czesiek...
So you'll bail on me?
After everything we've been through.
The Olympics come first.
Man, family comes first.
One day you'll understand.
Wonderful, Mr. Czernecki.
What would you want from us?
Nothing much.
A tiny autograph.
Before you become president
and I only see you on TV.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP CONTRACWhat is this?
I want to get Czesiek's club back.
I think you might have...
spent too much time in the West.
Shall I remind you?
Like I once reminded Mr. Czesiek what...
I must say, Mr. Czernecki,
your arguments are overwhelming.
My dad stopped boxing.
But he didn't stop fighting.
And he never stopped loving me.
That's how I'll remember him.
I'll do everything
so that my son remembers me the same way.
My best work.
Dad!
Hi! Second best.
How are you?
-Good.
-"Good."
-Bag.
-Bag.
I'll come get you later, kid.
-No.
-Yeah. Say bye to Mommy.
Bye, Mom!
Bye, bye.
Hi, Kasia!
Hi!
One. Two. Left.
Give me a jab.
A jab. From the left. Good.
And the guard? Yes.
Good. One jab. Good! And the other side.
Yes.
Okay, let's take a break.
-Are you having fun?
-Yes.
Yes?
-I don't think so. Someone's lying.
-No.
Someone's lying.
Listen. In the end,
you don't have to like boxing.
What is boxing?
Two brutes punching each other's faces.
First one gets punched,
then the other. Rinse and repeat.
Boring, right?
-Boring.
-Boring.
-Boring.
-Wanna go?
-Yes.
-Yes.
Let's go.
If you didn't have to be
with your old man, what would you do?
Mom bought me a book about Marie Curie.
Yeah?
Watch out for smart women.
They're dangerous.
Do you know Marie Curie was the only one
to win a "marble" in two fields?
Only in the '80s,
more than one million people left Poland.
They fled because of poverty, persecution,
and dreams of a better future.
Amongst them
were several hundred athletes.
In that time, no other country
witnessed such an exodus.