Under the Grey Sky (2024)

[bunniefuu]

Inspired by true events

UNDER THE GREY SKY

Stop here for a second.

- Hi!

- Hi!

Hello.

Want to put that in the trunk?

No, thanks.

Keep driving, to Chervyakova 62.

Hi, it's Lena Antonava.

- Set the bit rate.

- Looking good?

Nice. Microphone?

One, two... One, two, three...

- Okay. Let's get started!

- OK

- Olya, first a wide shot, then zoom in.

- Okay!

Just keep it steady.

All set.

Three... Two... Live.

Hello! We're now at

the Square of Change in Minsk.

Several thousand people

have gathered here so far.

People bring flowers and candles to

commemorate Raman Bandarenka.

We see a white-red-white flag,

saying "m*rder*d for ribbons."

3 days ago at this very spot Raman tried

to stop plainclothes policemen

from ripping the white-red-white

ribbons off the fence.

They brutally arrested him.

Several hours later, Raman was taken

to the hospital, badly beaten.

He died the next day without

regaining consciousness.

People keep coming. Now they fill not

only the yard but the roadway as well.

Traffic is blocked.

Protesters are chanting

"Long live Belarus", "Tribunal",

but most often we can hear

"We won't forget! We won't forgive!".

Raman's death caused a

new wave of outrage

against the riot police's violence.

Since the protests began against the

rigged presidential elections in Belarus,

riot police have k*lled

at least 3 protesters.

People are waving flags and posters that

say "We won't forget! We won't forgive!"

People do not intend to forgive the

brutal m*rder of Raman Bandarenka.

Today is the 99th day

of protests, and...

- What happened?

- A drone flew up to the window.

Did you see it?

Not clearly. The cops are probably

searching for the broadcast location.

Did it see you?

I'm not sure.

Pause the broadcast.

I'll assess our options.

Sit tight. I'll be in touch.

- Is something wrong?

- They might have spotted us with a drone.

Wait! Don't go out!

I haven't smoked for 3 years

and here we go again.

Can I have one?

Thanks for letting us be here.

You're welcome.

Hey.

I've found another apartment. Pack up.

Hold on...

Riot police are here. They'll put it down.

Is your option fit for work?

No windows facing the courtyard.

But if you want to leave, you must go now!

Is anyone else broadcasting this?

No one, but we have 500,000 viewers!

It's up to you.

Get ready to go live.

Stay away from windows.

Don't turn on the light.

Olya, zoom in as much as possible

so they can't see which floor we're on.

- Set!

- Live!

We're back from the Square of Changes.

Riot police are quashing the protest.

The police are throwing stun grenades

right into the crowd.

People are moving away from the road.

Another column of policemen

is approaching.

They are lining up in front of the crowd.

It looks like the police are determined

to suppress the protest.

But look...

Look! No one is running away!

Despite the shelling and riot police

brutality, people are not running away.

They are lining up in a chain opposite

the armed police...

I'm wrapping up. Just a minute.

The police are dragging people away.

But people have formed human chains

to make it harder for the police.

Lena, we've lost the signal!

Can you hear me?

The landline Internet has been cut off.

Can you hear me? Hello?

Our neighbors have texted that

the police are going

door-to-door and checking passports.

Let's calm down and just sit quietly.

Olya, delete your messages and

anything else suspicious. You too.

Let's clean our phones.

Let's delete everything.

Just in case.

- In case of what?

- As a precaution.

Are you crazy?

As a precaution from what?!

We have a 5-year-old child!

Are you insane?!

- I know, but what can I do?

- Well, do something!

Where's your phone?

Our kid is only five!

We have a child here!

What do you propose?!

- Something!

- What?

We'll leave as soon

as they end the blockade.

Can I have your phone?

I don't have Internet either...

I need to make a call.

Thanks.

Open up! Now!

Hello?

- It's me. I think they'll arrest us.

- Sweetheart, what?!

They've knocked down

a door above us...

Baby, what is...

Call the office...

Can you hear me? Call and say...

Lena! Lena!

- Hello?

- Lena has been arrested.

Call around to each police station again.

He called me around noon

from Pushkinsaya...

I didn't understand what he was saying...

What are you doing?

They'll arrest you too!

Wait. Wait.

Then I heard him screaming and that's it.

Screams...

Have you checked the hospitals?

- Rybakou?

- Rybakou.

He's not on this list.

But that doesn't mean anything.

We must wait for an update.

What about Antonava? Lena Antonava.

I don't have her either.

Quiet! Calm down! You

won't hear anything! Jesus!

Abramava Natalya

Aliakseichyk Ivan

Antonava Elena

Asipovich Liudmila

Bakvalau Kanstantsin

Vardametskaya Iryna

Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?

Maybe I could...

I'm sure. From tomorrow morning,

I'll have to... I'll go to bed quickly.

Keep driving.

I'll be right back.

Here you go.

- The code is 207606.

- Thanks.

The toilet is back there.

They definitely won't find any papers

connecting you to that place.

The neighbours only come here

during summer. So no worries.

My mother-in-law refilled the gas cylinder

2 month ago, so the kitchen should work.

You make tea and I'll get some firewood.

Is the signal here always so bad?

It depends...

The reception is better by that window.

We'll sleep by the stove.

Feels like grandpa's village, right?

Go home.

Honestly, you can't help me here.

You'll have to prepare a package

in the morning, then go to the court...

Go.

Call me if you need anything.

I'm "Dad" in the contacts.

Check.

Let's start over.

It's time for us to leave, Lena.

Make your move, Ilya.

We knew it might come to this.

They will silence the protests

any day now.

Why do you think so?

Because I'm realistic.

The night is darkest just before the dawn.

You got no material the last time, Lena.

Because we were running from shelling.

That's what I'm talking about.

It's time to leave.

Come on, there was always a risk.

Should I quit my job now, or what?

I'm not telling you to quit your job.

I don't want to quit my job either.

It's becoming impossible to work here.

If we leave, we could still do something.

What the hell are you talking about?

We've been in stagnation for years!

Now, when our work can finally make

a real difference,

you're telling me to flee the country.

That's cowardice!

And what you're doing is stupidity, Lena!

- Are you serious now?

- Yes.

- You really think so?

- Yes.

- Well thank you!

- My pleasure!

What else should I call it?

You take risks and get no results.

Now everything

is about that one failed live-stream!

Hundreds of thousands of people

watch me!

Hundreds of thousands watch my reports!

They do!

But do you even understand the risk?!

- You're exaggerating.

- I'm not!

I'm terrified for you, Lena!

Every single day!

Once you were proud of me.

I am proud of you. But...

Go ahead, pick it up.

Hello?

No.

Raman Bandarenka died.

- Hello?

- Hi!

- Hello? I can't hear you. Hello? Hello?

- Hello, can you hear me?

- Hello! Hello!

- I can hear you! Hi.

Hi! It could have been worse.

She only got 7 days imprisonment.

I've collected all of the papers.

You can leave as soon as Lena gets out.

Alright. Thank you. Bye.

- Ilya!I Ilya!

- Lena! Lenka!

What are you doing?!

I saw her! I saw her!

No surprises.

Article 342 - mass riots.

Interestingly, they found a victim.

"Group actions that grossly

violated public order,

resulted in the disruption

of public transport,

particularly the operation of 13 bus

lines, 3 trolleybuses and 3 tram routes,

which caused damage valued

at 11,562 rubles and 14 cents."

Pre-trial detention?

Arrest for two-months.

What can we do about that?

We can file for her release on bail

or under house arrest.

We can collect affidavits in her support.

But it's up to the Investigative

Committee, so I wouldn't...

I get it, but still let's use every option

the law provides us.

What about me?

You are not mentioned in the case neither

as an accused nor as a witness.

At least for now.

How is she?

She's holding up, staying optimistic.

She says thanks for the packages.

Tell her...

Tell her the night is

darkest just before the dawn.

I'll keep you posted.

Thank you.

Mr. Iharou.

Ms. Antonava insisted that

you leave the country.

And honestly,

I'd suggest that too.

You are not mentioned in her case,

but that doesn't mean you're safe.

They constantly remind her of that.

I've talked to my boss. It's all fine.

I'll take time off once a week

to bring her packages.

Natasha printed a list of permitted items.

It's hard to make sense of their rules.

And it's hard to know

what she might need there.

But I think Lena

will let us know via the lawyer.

From what I understood, the weight

limit applies to all packages.

So I'll talk to Lena's mother

to avoid duplicates.

I've got your power of attorney

letter if needed...

Did you warn the lawyer?

That's the right decision.

You definitely can't help her here.

There's a video of the arrest.

The moment of

Raman Bandarenka's arrest

Everybody, come out!

Everybody, come out!

Get off him!

What the hell are you doing?!

Monsters!

Scumbags!

You f*ck came to cut the ribbons!

Get out of here, you b*stards!

Everybody, come out!

I can't even...

If nothing changes after this

let's talk to the editorial board and

see what they can offer us in Warsaw.

Hello. My name is Ilya Iharou.

I'm Lena Antonava's husband.

She was brutally detained

for streaming from the Square of Changes

for Belsat TV.

What you're seeing

is our apartment.

Mine and Lena's home...

Or rather what...

the police did to it during their raid.

They're holding my wife c*ptive.

How much time she spends behind bars...

They're holding my wife c*ptive.

How much time she spends behind bars

depends on us.

Whether we let them silence us.

Hello!

So many people came.

Mr. Ambassador, this is Mr. Iharou.

Girls, look here!

Lena! Lena! We're here!

Only four people in the room!

Everybody out!

He's a diplomat!

How are you feeling, girls?

I'm her husband!

Stay strong! We are with you!

Lena! Lena!

The Frunzensky District Court

of Minsk city

finds Lena Antonava

and Olga Koltsova

guilty of organising collective actions

that grossly violated the public order.

The court sentences the defendants

to two years in prison.

This is revenge for Lena and Olya's work.

There is a crackdown

on independent journalism.

This regime fears the truth.

It fears facts.

It means that we, journalists, need

to work even harder than before.

We need to deliver even

more facts, more truth

to finally destroy

this terroristic regime!

Hello.

You have a call from the state prison

in Gomel. Identify yourself.

Iharou. Ilya Iharou.

Hold the line.

Hi.

Hi! How are you?

I'm okay. I really need to see the lawyer.

When will she come?

On Wednesday. What happened?

I've been transferred

to the prison's 9th unit.

It has a reputation

for physical coercion...

Antonava, out!

- Hello?

- I still have 5 minutes!

I said, out now!

Hello?

Sorry, I warned him...

It's fine. I'm really short on time.

Yes, but we can't talk freely

over the phone...

I really have nothing to add.

It's not about the phone.

- What's going on there?

- Nothing.

What do you mean... nothing? She's been

moved to a prison unit known for t*rture!

The prison has its own ways.

She has to learn how to navigate them.

- Apologies, Ms. Ivanova is here.

- I'll be right there.

When can you visit her again?

Let's discuss our further cooperation

and the related financial issues

in the coming days.

Come in.

Take a seat.

Put the tea into a plastic bag.

Cigarettes too.

That's it. Next!

Antonava Lena.

Antonava... Antonava...

Inmates in Special Housing Units

are not allowed packages.

She is in the SHU?

Why? What happened?

This isn't an information desk.

I have no idea. Next!

Next!

Sorry.

How can I calm down?

Do you understand what the SHU is?

You're the lawyer here.

Think of something!!

Write a complaint...

The security forces are in my yard.

Delete our messages.

Mr. Iharou, listen.

We all want to put this

whole situation behind us.

We all want to return to a normal,

stable life.

I believe you also want that.

Mrs Antonava should sign

the request for clemency.

Young women often act irrationally,

so I have no doubt they

will treat her plea sympathetically.

Do you believe in God?

Are you religious?

I'm a believer.

Pride is a deadly sin, you know.

Am I detained?

We're just talking.

You know,

Mrs Antonava isn't in the best health.

She also has issues with discipline.

Fortunately,

I still have some connections...

So, expect some news.

She'd better sign that clemency request.

Why haven't you left the country?

So when it concerns you,

pointless heroism is okay.

How is work?

Same as always. How are you?

I can't gather my thoughts here.

Have you received my letters?

I haven't received yours in a while.

Rumor has it that they'll grant amnesty

by July 3rd.

Yeah... They keep pressuring me

to file a clemency request.

And you?

What about me?

It's just a piece of paper.

That's what they keep telling me too.

I miss you.

A lot.

I don't understand. If she has

a chance to get out, why not take it?

Do you think anyone would condemn

her if she signed that damned request?

You do realise that she's basically

in captivity?

What if she signs but

they don't release her?

There's a chance they will.

I just don't get it.

If you don't get it,

you probably never will.

I'm sorry.

Not for me, thanks.

I was born here

in the land under the grey sky.

I was born here

in the land of potatoes,

collective farms, and black bread.

I was born here - in the land of

forced registration and leaking taps.

I was born here - in the land of

hundreds of destroyed temples.

Maternity hospital, kindergarten,

then school and university.

I was born here,

And I will live here!

And I will live here!

I will live here.

Hello.

Mr. Iharou. I've been asked to

go to the prison tomorrow.

I've signed a non-disclosure agreement.

At least tell me what this is all about?

For God's sake, you work for us!

I can no longer represent Mrs Antonava.

You should find a new lawyer.

Are you kidding me?

Mr Iharou, I admire you and your wife.

But I can't afford to end up

in a cell next to her.

I also have a family.

You should find a new lawyer,

who will explain as much

of the new case as possible.

At least tell me what

she's being accused of. Please.

High treason.

She's facing 7 to 15 years in prison.

We'll work in 2 teams.

The first will go

to the Square of Changes

and live-stream from the apartment.

The second will walk around,

starting at Pushkinskaya.

It's always a hot-spot there.

I'll take the second team.

Ira is more experienced at that.

Agreed. Ira, what do you think?

I'm ready.

With all due respect,

my live-streams get more views.

That's why we shouldn't risk it.

We need to be sure you'll get on air.

I'm sorry.

Lena...

Sweetheart...

Why are you acting like this?

Is this how you plan to leave?

The taxi is waiting.

See you later.

Call your boss.

The visitation ends tomorrow at 10 am.

Be ready to leave at 9.30.

Hi.

Hi.

It's been like this since the w*r began.

At first it was scary,

but we got used to it.

Why are they allowing this visitation,

Ilya?

Your case can be closed if you record

a propaganda video with your confession.

No one will condemn you.

Everyone understands.

You can search for shades of grey

but we both know how it really is.

But what do we have to fight them with?

Martyrdom?

Do you think they'll release me?

They told me they would.

Do you believe them?

They've already released

several people this way.

They probably quietly exchange

political prisoners

for political and economic concessions...

It's in their interest.

Okay.

Let's say I agree...

What next?

They will allow us to leave.

And then?

We'll be free.

And what would we do?

Live.

Just live.

Lena, it's not only about your life.

It's also about me, your parents,

and my loved ones.

There are always shades of grey.

I found Solzhenitsyn

in the prison library.

His biography mentions

that his wife

divorced him after 3 years in prison.

You're talking nonsense!

Why? Are you being serious?

We could have left that apartment, Ilya...

We could have hidden in another apartment,

where no one would look for us

because it had windows facing

the other side of the building.

But we couldn't continue

streaming from there.

I haven't even asked Olya...

If I hadn't intervened in your

conversation with the editor

you would have gone to Pushkinskaya.

None of this would have happened.

I've thought about that many times.

But does it matter now?

What's the difference?

We're here now, at this point of our life.

Together.

Lena, please. Let's do what they want.

Why didn't you leave?

Why? I specifically asked you to.

You weren't being serious.

But many people in our situation chose

to leave. It's a reasonable thing to do.

Why did you choose not to?

Remember during the protests

we were wondering...

people posted photos of

baskets of mushrooms

croissants from cafes...

We looked at them and thought

"How is this even possible?

Why they doing this?

It's like they're from

a different planet".

Do you remember?

I wanted to stay

on the same planet as you.

I still want to stay

on the same planet with you.

- Here?

- Mhm.

Mrs Antonava.

Hands up.

Sit down.

Fix your blouse a little.

Don't film the bars.

Here?

Let's start.

I'm Lena Antonava. I've been sentenced

for organising mass riots

at the so-called Square of Changes

in Minsk.

I fully and completely...

admit my...

Let's start again.

Speak louder and look at the camera.

I am Lena Antonava. I have been sentenced

for organising mass riots

at the so-called Square of Changes

in Minsk.

I fully and completely...

admit my guilt...

Pull yourself together and start again.

I am Lena Antonava.

I have been sentenced

for organising mass riots

at the so-called Square of Changes

in Minsk.

I fully and completely admit...

Again.

I am...

Lena Antonava.

I have been sentenced

for organising mass riots

at the so-called Square of Changes

in Minsk.

I fully and completely admit my guilt.

I regret that...

acting in collaboration with...

Pull yourself together! Again.

I'm Lena Antonava.

I have been sentenced...

for organising...

Again!

Again!

Mrs Antonava...

Either we record this or you go back

to the unit!

The Gomel regional court,

represented by I. Ivanov,

in proceedings involving the public

prosecutor and the defendant's attorney

in a closed hearing

has considered the charges of high treason

brought against Lena Antonava

and finds the defendant guilty.

Based on Part 1 of Article 356 of the

Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus,

the court sentences Lena Antonava

to 8 years of imprisonment

to be served in a general penitentiary.

Belsat TV journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva

and camerawoman Darya Chultsova

were arrested on November 15th, 2020.

Darya was released in 2022, having served

her full sentence of 2 years imprisonment.

Despite numerous arrests

and constant harassment,

Katsiaryna's husband,

the journalist Igor Ilyash,

remained in Belarus

after his wife's arrest.

He is waiting for Katsiaryna.

As a result of her second sentence

she is supposed to spend 8 years

and 3 months in prison.

Long live Belarus!

Hello to all Belsat viewers!

We are now on Victors' Avenue

in Minsk.

Tens of thousands are walking

towards the Independence Palace.

There are currently around 100,000 people

here at Victors Avenue...

We are now next

to the Stela Obelisk in Minsk,

where the March of Honor is underway.

Riot police have started to detain people.

Why are we being detained?

Would you mind explaining?

Your emotions. How do you feel?

I'm ready. Yes, let's go.

We will win!