Legend of Ochi, The (2025)

[bunniefuu]

(WAVES CRASHING)

(BIRDS SQUAWKING)

YURI: I was born

on a small island

in the Black Sea.

Most people here

live right from the land.

It's how

we've always survived.

(BELL TOLLING)

YURI: For a long time,

nothing much changed here.

(BELL CONTINUES TOLLING)

YURI: But things are starting

to feel different.

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

YURI: People say

it's a dangerous place.

There are bears,

and wolves...

and something else...

Something people fear

is much worse.

(PAGES FLIPPING)

YURI: For as long as I know,

we've fought them.

I've never seen one myself.

But I've heard them,

at night...

(WOMAN SHOUTING OUT)

YURI: ...echoing down

from the mountains.

I still don't know

the whole story.

But since I was

four years old...

the one thing

I've known for sure...

is they destroyed my family.

(I SHOULD TAKE MY BANDURA

PLAYING OVER RADIO)

(INCREASES VOLUME)

(SINGING ALONG IN UKRAINIAN)

(RADAR BEEPS)

(RADAR BEEPS)

(RADAR BEEPING FASTER)

(RADAR BEEPING STOPS)

On foot, boys.

Hi, possum.

Are we going to see one?

Put out your hand.

(BOYS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

Papa gave me that

on my first hunt.

It's sharp.

Yeah, it's a k*ller.

(INSECTS TRILLING)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(TRILLING)

(TRILLING)

(DEVOURING)

(HUFFING HEAVILY)

(TRILLING)

(SOFT TRILLING)

(SHALLOW BREATHING)

(SOFT TRILLING)

(RUSTLING)

(SNIFFING)

(SHRIEKS)

(GRUNTS)

(SOFT TRILLING)

MAXIM:

Stick to the high ground.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(YELLS)

MAXIM: Boris!

(PEOPLE CLAMORING)

(SHRIEKS)

The trees!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

-(g*nsh*t)

-(GROWLING)

Stay down!

(SCREAMS)

(TRILLS LOUDLY)

PETRO: Let's go!

(TRILLS ECHOING)

(PANTING)

(GROWLS)

(TRILLING)

(CHITTERING LOUDLY)

(GROWLING LOUDLY)

(CHITTERING IN FEAR)

IVAN: Right there!

(g*nsh*t)

(HOWLING)

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(BELL TOLLS)

(BELL RINGING)

(CHILDREN CHATTERING)

(HORN BLOWING)

Last night...

was marvelous,

my little chub-chicks.

We saw the devil

dancing in the goblin's eyes!

But did we fell a single one?

No.

No, we did not.

Was there a fair amount

of piss-sh*t scatter-shots

and gutless dawdling?

Yes. Yes, there was.

Pavel!

This week, your father's

best stud was bit, bled dry.

Oleg!

Your Uncle Belka, won't stay

on the hill with his herd.

Now he sits at home and drinks!

Ivan! Your father

and his timber crew

have fled the camp.

Your mother feeds the dog

on hog-sh*t.

Gleb!

On your farm,

five geese and three cats

are yet found!

(COOING)

We are cursed

with a wickedness!

Your parents have

offered you to this cause.

They say, "Here!

Make something of my boy!

"Protect us. Save us!"

When Petro here was 14,

just a reedy twig as you are,

he was orphaned

and left in my care.

Now look at him!

You may think me

nasty and grim.

But remember, my dears,

I know your pain.

The Ochi took my wife.

And for that, I have no son

to call my own.

But if you give your

little hearts to this cause,

as true as I live,

you are all my sons.

(TRY PORADY BY LINA PROKHOROVA

PLAYING DISTANTLY OVER RADIO)

(MUSIC CONTINUES LOUDLY)

(CUTLERY CLINKING)

(RADIO ANNOUNCER SPEAKING

IN UKRAINIAN)

...The Long and Lonely Night.

(THE LONG AND LONELY NIGHT BY

ILYA LUBINSKY PLAYS ON RADIO)

You hear that?

(MAXIM SINGING)

In morning's quiet fire

My love has held it's heat

For a long and lonely night

Amazing.

(WHISTLING TUNE)

You act like it's a t*rture.

Like a turtle

with its head in the shell.

It's stupid.

(PETRO COUGHING)

That was our song.

Your mom and me.

In school, we learned

there's a kind of bird,

it's called a Pine Warbler.

It's weird, because, basically,

the dad sits on the eggs

instead of mom.

But when it turns

a bigger age,

it leaves the nest,

and the mom teaches it

how to fly and get bugs.

I think it's cool.

I wish you could see her, Yuri.

I do.

-You said I...

-How many times

do I have to tell you?

She left us.

I'm gonna see her.

(SLAMS TABLE)

She doesn't want you.

(THE LONG AND LONELY NIGHCONTINUES PLAYING OVER RADIO)

Have you checked the traps?

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR SLAMS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(SHRIEKING IN DISTANCE)

(SHRIEKING IN DISTANCE)

(YOUNG OCHI WHIMPERING)

(HISSING)

(PANTING)

(CONTINUES HISSING)

(YOUNG OCHI SCREAMING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(PANTING)

I won't hurt you.

(INSECTS TRILLING)

(PADLON VAGYOK BY OMEN

PLAYING ON STEREO)

(PETRO AND GLEB GRUNTING)

(MUSIC CONTINUES DISTANTLY)

(WOMAN ON TV

SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

(RUSTLING)

(COOS SOFTLY)

(SNIFFING)

(GROANS)

(WHISPERS) It's okay.

(GROANS)

(YOUNG OCHI GROANING)

(HISSING)

-(SNARLS)

-(SNARLS)

(BOTH SNARLING)

(WHISPERS)

I'm not gonna hurt you.

(GROWLS, CHIRPS)

The whistle,

the call of death.

(YOUNG OCHI WHIMPERS)

There.

(SIGHS) Better.

(GROANS SOFTLY)

(CHIRPING)

No. Not for eating.

(CHIRPS)

-No!

-(CHIRPS)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLING)

(COOS)

(COOS)

(CHIRPS)

You're not like they say.

(DISTANT g*nshots)

(SHRIEKS)

(g*nshots)

(PADLON VAGYOK

CONTINUES ON STEREO)

(YOUNG OCHI CHIRPING)

You hear that?

-I need my sleeping bag!

-(YOUNG OCHI CHIRPING)

(TRILLS)

(CREAKING)

(GRUNTS)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Yuri, what is this?

I'll be fine on my own.

You won't make it

in the woods.

Don't be a drama queen.

Look, you can talk to me.

You're only nice

if no one's looking.

I'm taking him home.

Please feed my caterpillars.

(YOUNG OCHI CHIRPS)

(WIND BLOWING)

(SARA BY FRANCO SIMONE

PLAYING OVER CAR TAPE)

(MUSIC STOPS)

-(SHEEP BLEATING)

-(BELLS TINKLING)

(OCHIS CHIRPING DISTANTLY)

(CHIRPING ECHOES)

(CHIRPING CONTINUES)

(WAILING)

(EXHALES)

(PIGS SNORTING)

Where is she?

When did you last see her?

Uh, at dinner,

last night, with you.

(OBJECT CLINKS)

(PAPER RUSTLES)

"I want you to have it back

because it is dumb.

"P.S. I am strong and cool.

"I don't believe

what you say about anything.

"And don't look for me, okay?

Thanks, bye."

Oh, God. (SIGHS)

(FROZEN SHUT BY HISSING

PLAYS LOUDLY)

(DOOR OPENS)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(OBJECTS CLATTERING)

She's been kidnapped!

Strap it in, assbags!

Let's go!

(DUCKS QUACKING)

MAXIM: A father's

greatest treasure

is his daughter!

OLEG: Under the bridge!

-PAVEL: Where?

-OLEG: Over there.

(WHISPERING) Are you hungry?

(YOUNG OCHI TRILLS)

That sounded like a yes.

(YOUNG OCHI CHIRPS)

Promise to be quiet.

(THE MERMAID BY RUSSYA

PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)

(MIMICKING MAXIM) We have

strong bones and teeth.

Minced meat stew

seven days a week.

(YOUNG OCHI CHIRPS SOFTLY)

YURI: Dad never let me

come here.

(THE MERMAID

CONTINUES PLAYING)

We only drink from the sheep.

(CHIRPS)

(EGG SHELL CRACKLES)

(SCREAMS)

(SCREECHES)

(SCREAMS)

(ALL SCREAMING, CLAMORING)

Excuse me, miss.

(YOUNG OCHI SNARLING)

YURI: Be quiet. Be quiet.

(MUFFLED SNARLING)

(YURI SCREAMS)

(SCREAMING CONTINUES)

Animals!

(SCREECHING)

(g*n FIRES)

(YURI GRUNTS)

(YOUNG OCHI SCREECHING)

(PANTING)

(ODLAZAK BY PARAF PLAYS)

-Hey! Hey!

-This isn't...

(MAN SPEAKING UKRAINIAN)

Not moving! It's not moving!

-(MAN SPEAKING UKRAINIAN)

(SNARLS)

(SPEAKING IN UKRAINIAN)

I command you to move!

(MAN SHOUTING IN RUSSIAN)

(SHOUTING CONTINUES RUSSIAN)

(BIALA CHORAGIEWKA BY 1984

PLAYS ON CAR TAPE)

(WHIMPERS)

(ENGINE ACCELERATING)

(CHITTERS)

It's not your fault.

We don't belong here.

(RATTLING)

PREACHER ON RADIO: And thou

shalt know that I am the Lord.

For the Lord

had comforted His people.

Shall the prey be taken

from the mighty...

(JOINING IN)

But thus saith the Lord.

Even the captives of

the mighty shall be taken...

PREACHER:

...and the prey of the terrible

shall be delivered.

For I will contend with him

that contendeth with thee...

Oh!

PREACHER: ...and I will

save thy children.

POLICEMAN: Whoa.

Hey, Dina! Check it out!

PREACHER: And they shall be

drunken with their own blood,

as with sweet wine,

and all flesh shall know

that I, the...

(HORSE NEIGHS)

(BELLS TINKLING)

(INSECTS TRILLING)

(WARBLES SOFTLY)

I don't think it's working.

(GENTLE WARBLING)

(TRILLING)

(SNIFFS)

Gross.

(SNIFFS)

(TRILLING)

(GENTLE THROBBING)

(SNIFFS)

(TRILLING)

(MIMICKING TRILLING SOUND)

I never made that sound.

(TRILLING)

I didn't know I could.

(TRILLING)

(TRILLING)

(SNIFFING)

(TRILLS)

(MIMICKING SOUND)

(TRILLING)

(MIMICKING SOUND)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS)

(WARBLING TRILL SOUND)

I can talk to you!

I can talk to you!

I can talk to you!

I can talk to you!

-(SCREAMS)

-(HEAVY THUD)

(HISSES)

(HISSES)

(EXHALES)

MAXIM: Yuri!

(ECHOING IN DISTANCE) Yuri!

(TRILLS SOFTLY)

(WARBLES PLAINTIVELY)

(PLAINTIVE WARBLE)

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

(WIND WHISTLING)

(PANTING)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Mom.

(SHEEP BLEATING)

-(BAT SQUEALING)

-(BONE SNAPS)

Where is he?

As you may know,

there's such a thing

as a Carpathian brown bat,

common in these highlands.

Can drain a sheep dry.

But this bat,

it has a taste for any

warm-blooded creature

it can find.

Ochi, too.

Oh, yes,

it's very fond of Ochi.

But the Ochi bites it back.

So, after some

thousands of years,

this bat...

has developed a resistance,

an immunity.

Its blood is the only cure

for you.

This may cause

a strong sensation.

(BREATHLESSLY)

I don't want it.

-Nonsense.

-The bite gives me power.

I can talk to him.

You really are my daughter.

In the beginning, you were

just a little grub on my back.

I gave you words.

Things to say.

It's not the bite.

I taught it to you.

(PLAYS NOTES SIMILAR

TO OCHI TRILLS)

Why did you leave me?

(CIGARETTE LIGHTER CLICKS)

(EXHALES)

He kept me from you.

In Carpathia,

the laws catch flies

and let the hornets go free.

(DASHA EXHALES)

So, I've been waiting.

How does a pea weevil,

hatched inside a pea,

know to climb out when

it's never seen the world?

How does an Arctic tern...

know to follow

the same small patch of sky

for three months

and 12,000 miles,

only to land on

the other side of the world

on the same small rock

every year?

It's an inborn melody.

(SCREAMS)

(SCREAM ECHOES)

(BREATH TREMBLING)

(SHEEP BLEATING IN DISTANCE)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON RADIO)

(BATS SQUEAKING)

(SHEEP BLEATING IN DISTANCE)

(MOURNFUL MUSIC PLAYING

ON FLUTE DISTANTLY)

(EXHALES SOFTLY)

(FLUTE MUSIC

CONTINUES PLAYING LOUDLY)

YURI: I know this.

Dad said it was your song.

This song comes

from the trees, Yuri.

Ochi song.

Their language is unlike ours.

It's more musical,

more emotional.

Yes. They have simple calls.

Names for things.

(PLAYS SHORT TRILL)

(PLAYS TWO MORE SHORT TRILLS)

This much you know.

I taught you this.

But this is just the surface.

Ochi communicate not in words,

but in sensations.

Joy, excitement, pain, fear.

When they sing together,

weaving their feelings

through each other,

a kind of miracle happens.

It's really quite beautiful.

I want that.

Yes, of course.

But, uh, it's not for us.

Ochi sing only to each other

within family groups.

So, it's simply not possible.

But he's my friend.

We can't be friends with them.

They can't be our pets.

We have turned the wolf

into a lapdog.

(EXHALES SOFTLY)

What is that?

Is that his home?

That's where I'm taking him.

(COUGHS, SPLUTTERS)

My dear, that would lead to

certain and unpleasant death.

-But when I take him...

-If you return a baby bird

to the nest,

it has the stink of man,

and the mother

tosses it straight out.

(MUTTERS)

I'm not going to abandon him.

Speak up. I can't hear you.

(YELLS)

I think a baby's first scream

is the purest expression

it makes.

It comes from deep within.

No teaching,

just pure instinct.

But then she learns

that screaming gets you things,

like milk and candies.

(OBJECTS CLATTERING)

(METAL CLATTERING)

(WIND HOWLING)

(BELLS JINGLING FAINTLY)

(SHEEP BLEATING)

(VEHICLE APPROACHING)

(VEHICLE DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)

MAXIM: Yuri!

(FLOORBOARD CREAKS)

It's time to come home, Yuri.

(CHAIR SCRAPS ON FLOOR)

(DOOR CREAKS)

(DOOR CREAKING)

Sit.

Have some tea.

Where is she?

I got to her in time.

I have medicine now.

O Lord, O Lord,

thy kingdom holds a cure

for all things.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

I never stopped loving you.

(SLURPS LOUDLY)

(THUDS)

(INHALES, EXHALES DEEPLY)

Before you left, she was

a real little chatterbox.

-(CHUCKLES)

-(DASHA TAPPING HAND)

I'd like to see her.

Yuri?

Why don't you invite your

toy soldiers in for a cup?

MAXIM: We're going home, Yuri!

She left this morning.

What? Are you insane?

Of course, you're insane!

You know very well

that it's not good

for my constitution

to hear your voice

at such a volume.

You're a plague of locusts!

You're a serpent

hiding in the rocks!

You live where

the throne of Satan sits,

and you've been sent up

only to ruin my life!

-You cut off my hand!

-I saved your life!

IVAN: Sir!

I think we found something!

(OBJECTS CLATTERING)

-(MAXIM GRUNTS)

-(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-Look how you raised her!

Deaf to her own voice!

-(MAXIM GRUNTS)

MAXIM: It's you who left!

It's you who gave up!

And for what?

Those stupid goblins!

(MUFFLED GRUNTING)

Where's my daughter,

you witch?

PETRO: Sir!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(g*ns CLICKING)

(SIGHS HEAVILY)

Well...

Well, well, well.

For years, I've searched.

But the answer, my boys,

is right here!

Ha! The caves.

They hide

in the dog-damn dark!

(LAUGHS HEARTILY)

You'll be torn apart.

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(WIND HOWLING)

Possum.

(YURI TRILLING)

(TRILLING)

(TRILLING)

(WARBLES SOFTLY)

(YURI'S TRILLING CALL ECHOES)

(TRILLS)

(PANTING)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS)

(BOTH TRILLING SIMULTANEOUSLY)

(PANTING)

(INSECTS CHIRPING)

(FIRE CRACKLING)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS REPLY)

(LOW GUTTURAL MOAN)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS)

(LOW WARBLE)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLING)

(COOS GENTLY)

(CHUCKLES)

(YOUNG OCHI WARBLES)

(GULPING)

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

(TRILLS)

(PLAINTIVE TRILL)

(TRILLS)

(FAINT TINKLING OF GLASS)

(BROOM SWEEPING)

(ENGINE IDLING)

(RESPIRO BY FRANCO SIMONE

PLAYING ON RADIO)

DASHA: If you return a bird

to the nest...

it has the stench of man.

The mother tosses it

straight out.

(RESPIRO CONTINUES

PLAYING ON RADIO)

(LOG SCRAPING)

(YURI GRUNTS)

(LOG CLATTERING)

(PANTING)

(BOYS WHISTLING)

MAXIM: Petro,

let me tell you something.

And I want you

to remember every word

like it was the last drop

of your mother's milk.

Only a fool looks for comfort

in another's heart.

(WHISTLING CONTINUES)

If an oak grows,

leaned on a birch,

and that birch goes to rot,

the oak will fall.

So, grow straight upwards

and sturdy.

Do not lean,

and you will not fall.

And on you, my boy,

I lean well upon.

PETRO: Thank you, sir.

(TRILLING)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLING, WARBLING)

(TRILLS)

(TRILL ECHOES)

(GRUNTS)

They don't like me.

IVAN: There's a way down here!

-PETRO: Ochi!

-(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

(PANICKED TRILLING

OF YOUNG OCHI)

(PANTS)

(STRAINING)

(GRUNTS)

(TRILLS IN DISTRESS)

(GASPS)

(DISTRESSED TRILLING)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

MAXIM: Hold on! (ECHOING)

I'm coming for you! (ECHOING)

I read your letter!

PETRO:

Yuri, we're your family!

I listened to Hell Throne!

It's good!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(WATER SPLASHING)

(GASPS)

Holy sh*t.

(PANTING)

(WATER SPLASHING)

MAXIM: Boys!

Don't go soft on me!

She left because of you.

MAXIM: What?

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

She wasn't kidnapped.

(PETRO GRUNTING)

-I let her go!

-Shut up!

You made an oath!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

I won't stand

to put you all in peril.

Chin up, boys.

(BREATH TREMBLING)

Hold the line.

(INSECTS CHITTERING)

(YURI PANTING)

(TROTTING)

(SHRIEKING)

(SOFT TRILL AND GROWL)

MAXIM: Yuri!

Let's go home!

(TRILLING)

(SHRIEKING CONTINUES)

(YURI GRUNTS)

-(YOUNG OCHI WHIMPERS SOFTLY)

-(LOUD THUD)

(MAXIM SCREAMS)

(SCREAMS)

(GROANING)

Use my axe.

Push! Push!

(GRUNTS) I'm pushing!

-Harder!

-I'm trying!

Choke up on it!

YURI: It's too heavy!

(SCREAMS)

Listen to me!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

Oh!

(HISSING)

(TRILLS SOFTLY)

I'm not asking you

to understand.

Just trust me.

I'm sorry what I said

about Grandpa's knife.

I know what it meant to you.

It's not dumb.

I made it all up.

I bought it at a gas station.

I thought it looked cool.

I wanted it to be

something special...

For us.

Dad...

that's so stupid.

(TRILLING SOFTLY)

(TRILLS)

(TRILLS SOFTLY)

(GASPS)

(BOTH GRUNTING)

-(STRAINING)

-(MAXIM GROANS)

Can you walk on it?

Stay close by my side.

(PANTING)

MAXIM: Yuri!

Stop!

Wait!

(YURI PANTING)

(TRILLING)

(OCHIS GRUNT SOFTLY)

-(PANTING)

-(TRILLING)

(GRUNTING SOFTLY)

(GRUNTS)

Hold your fire!

(GROWLS)

(INAUDIBLE)

(FLUTE PLAYING)

(GROWLING SOFTLY)

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

DASHA:

When they sing together...

weaving their feelings

through each other...

a kind of miracle happens.

(TRILLING TOGETHER)

(WARBLES)

(YOUNG OCHI TRILLING)

(GRUNTING SOFTLY)

(GROWLS)

(TRILLS)

(SOBBING SOFTLY)

(SIGHS)

(TRILLING)