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By Kevin Widdop
Based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
FADE IN
EXT. CENTRAL KGB BUILDING – CAM ZOOMS IN.
The building is bland and utilitarian dominated by a
large statue of Stalin. There are two guards posted
either side of the entrance.
INT. POLICE WAITING ROOM.
Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikoff is about thirty. His
hair is dishevelled and he is be-side himself with
anxiety. He is young and handsome, though dressed in
old and filthy clothes. He is sweating and
soliloquising; playing out innumerable scenarios in
his head about the forthcoming moments. He looks at
his watch.
Porphyrius Petrovitch, a lieutenant, is about
thirty-five. He is wearing an open neck shirt with no
tie. Wide-eyed and clean-shaven he approaches Rodion
with a broad smile in an affable manner. He is short
and red-faced.
CAM FOCUSES ON A GLASS-PANNELLED DOOR WITH PORPHYRIUS
PETROVITCH’S NAME ON IT. BELOW THIS IS A SWORD AND
SHIELD LOGO. A SHADOW OF A MAN’S BULKY HEAD AND
SHOULDERS AP-PROACHES THE DOOR.
The door opens.
Porphyrius is alone in his office, a room of medium
dimensions, containing a large table, facing a sofa
covered with shiny leather, a bureau, a cupboard
standing in a corner, and a few chairs: all this
furniture, provided by the State, is yellow wood. An
overwhelmingly large and dreary portrait of Stalin
dominates the wall behind his desk. It portrays all
the hallmarks of a socialist-realist painting:
conformist and dull.
CAM FOCUSES IN ON PORPHYRIUS – CLOSE.
PORPHYRIUS: Come in. Come in, comrade. Take a seat.
CAM DOES A 180 TURN AND FOCUSES ON RODION – LONG.
RODION: Thank you.
Rodion sits down and Porphyrius gestures at the window
with his left arm.
CAM TURNS TO LOOK AT A PANORAMIC VIEW OF LENINGRAD.
PORPHYRIUS: Leningrad is very beautiful in the summer,
don’t you think? I often look out of the window and
just think what a glorious place it is. How are your
family enjoying their stay?
CAM SHOWS A CLOSE UP OF RODION.
Rodion’s face clouds with confusion.
CAM SHOWS A SHOT OF THE ROOM WITH BOTH MEN FACING EACH
OTHER OVER THE DESK – MEDIUM.
RODION (Taken aback): My family? Getting on well.
However their stay has been blighted upon discovering
my illness.
PORPHYRIUS: Very sorry to hear about your recent
state. Do you know the cause?
RODION (Slightly ruffled by the comment): I had a
fever, but that’s none of your con-cern, or any
concern of the State’s.
PORPHYRIUS: But Rodion Romanovitch, this is an era of
cooperation and commu-nity. Our caring leader has laid
the foundations and now we must work to the benefit of
the common good.
Porphyrius’ distinctly egalitarian language produces
a
derisory smile upon Rodion’s face.
PORPHYRIUS: Here you are then – in our latitude (He
spreads his arms as if to signify ownership). What is
it that has brought you here, Mr Romanovitch?
Porphyrius awaits Rodion’s reply leaning back in his
chair.
CAM FOCUSES IN ON RODION’S FACE – CLOSE.
Rodion has a look of surprise on his face and stutters
slightly.
RODION: Yesterday, you had, I fancy, a wish to examine
me formally – about my dealings with the victim.
CAM PULLS BACK TO A SHOT OF PORPHYRIUS – MEDIUM.
PORPHYRIUS: We never wish to be formal around here.
Everyone is seen with the same respect and there are
no exceptions.
CAM TURNS TO A VIEW OF THE ROOM – MEDIUM.
Porphyrius begins a walk to and fro.
PORPHYRIUS: But we mustn’t hastily get into that
matter (Offers Rodion a cigarette).
Rodion declines his offer without speaking and with an
irritated, waved open palm. Porphyrius, however,
lights one.
RODION: Is it true that all advocates of despotic
leaders begin interrogations with such trivial
discussion? (Becoming increasingly riled) We are both
aware of why I am here. So, can we ignore your
psychological games and resolve this thing?
Porphyrius looks at Rodion in bafflement.
PORPHYRIUS (In a fit of laughter): Why, Mr
Romanovitch, you are quaint! Not only are you
melodramatic, but you must be unaware that you just
spoke poorly of the State!
Rodion releases a deep sigh.
CAM FOCUSES ON RODION – MEDIUM.
RODION: You are blind! Communism is a fallacy! It is
the ultimate evil and we are nothing but martyrs if we
support him.
Porphyrius looks unfalteringly at Rodion.
PORPHYRIUS: An evil? Evil, Rodion Romanovitch, is
murder. Social equality will bring happiness
and…justice.
Rodion Romanovitch rises from his chair.
RODION: I beg of you to cross-examine me in the formal
and usual way. Otherwise, I will not permit this.
CAM FOLLOWS RODION’S FIST – CLOSE UP.
(Rodion smashed his fist down on the table) I cannot
bear it!
PORPHYRIUS (He has stopped laughing and talks in an
incredulous tone): Cross-examine you about what?
Rodion rises from his chair and is about to leave.
CAM FOLLOWS PORPHYRIUS AS HE WALKS AROUND HIS DESK.
PORPHYRIUS (Compassionately): Please, friend. Do take
your seat. It’s not that
important anyway.
CAM FOCUSES ON RODION – MEDIUM.
Rodion quickly turns and gazes at Porphyrius with a
sceptical look on his face. He slowly resumes his
seat.
CAM WHIPS BACK TO SHOW BOTH MEN.
PORPHYRIUS: I’m sorry that my earlier attitude upset
you, Rodion Romanovitch. But maybe that’s how things
are supposed to be between two people who are not yet
com-rades.
Porphyrius puts his head against a connecting door, as
if trying to listen to what, if anything, is happening
in the next room.
CAM FOCUSES ON RODION – CLOSE.
Rodion remains silent but looks puzzled.
CAM DOES A 180 TURN AND FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS –
CLOSE.
PORPHYRIUS: But we must become good friends.
Solidarity must be typical of our society. Individuals
must go elsewhere. Capitalism is the ultimate evil.
He asserts these last two words, ultimate evil, with
unyielding fervour.
CAM PULLS BACK TO MEDIUM SHOT.
PORPHYRIUS: Let me tell you something. If I clearly
suppose one man of being guilty of a crime and have
him arrested, then what pleasure do I have in hearing
him
confess? What pleasure do I get in watching him
suffer?
Rodion notices Porphyrius’ hands wave up in the air,
almost making an effort not to incriminate Rodion.
PORPHYRIUS: Suppose I miss out on the delight of
seeing the confused wrongdoer sweat in an
interrogation such as this one.
ECU ON RODION – CAM FOLLOWS A DROP OF SWEAT HANGING
ON
THE STUDENT’S EYEBROW.
Rodion Romanovitch is trying to concentrate on
anything but Porphyrius.
CAM FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS’ BOOKCASE – CLOSE.
Rodion’s POV: he notices a collection of Porphyrius’
books. One entitled “Crime and the Law” and
another,
“Das Kapital.”
PORPHYRIUS: But if I don’t call him in for
questioning, then he will eventually come of his own
accord because the guilt will overwhelm him.
LONG SHOT.
Porphyrius stares at Rodion intently.
Porphyrius continues walking ceaselessly as if about
to proclaim some major revela-tion.
PORPHYRIUS: Betrayal, Rodion Romanovitch, must never
conquer. If a class enemy is causing a problem, we
should merely remove the man and the problem will be
solved.
Rodion squirms as he recognises distinct Stalinist
language.
RODION: A robot! Regurgitating Stalinist rubbish.
Rodion Romanovitch is sweating uncontrollably, and
drawing Porphyrius’ attention to him.
PORPHYRIUS: You’re so confused, Rodion Romanovitch.
The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to
communism. Your state has led you to believe that
we’re against you.
Rodion sighs with indignation.
RODION: I think a State where individuals are
prevented from rising above the
ignorant populace is an illegitimate one.
Porphyrius clutches his hand and speaks in an
impassioned tone.
PORPHYRIUS: We have to maintain order, Rodion
Romanovitch. If one of us dies it will be a tragedy,
but we must continue to work for the common good.
Porphyrius gestures towards the window.
PORPHYRIUS: Your face is very pale. Would you like me
to open a window?
Rodion appears uncomfortable as he writhes in his
chair.
RODION: By no means. I’ve just, as you might have
heard, come under some illness of late.
Porphyrius’ gaze is fixed upon his interlocutor.
CUT TO:
INT. OLD WOMAN’S FLAT – TOP FLOOR - APARTMENT
BUILDING
– FLASHBACK – SCREEN IS BLACK AND WHITE.
Throughout this we hear discordant, Russian classical
music.
Rodion Romanovitch approaches a cowering old woman,
Alena Ivanovna, with vio-lent fanaticism towering
above her he brandishes a hatchet and strikes with the
blunt side.
CUT TO:
INT. MAGISTRATE’S OFFICE – MOMENTS LATER.
Porphyrius continues to talk while Raskolnikoff
momentarily returns from his reverie. As the detective
continues at his normal level, we hear it at a lower
volume from Rodion’s POV.
PORPHYRIUS: You must take time to let your condition
heal.
Porphyrius looks pensive.
CAM ZOOMS IN ON PORPHYRIUS – CLOSE.
PORPHYRIUS (Resuming): Otherwise you will go insane.
At what now is a rising volume from Rodion’s POV.
PORPHYRIUS: Can I move on Rodion?
Rodion nods affably.
PORPHYRIUS: It has come to our attention that you were
at the victim’s house last night.
Rodion’s expression reveals amazement.
PORPHYRIUS: Yes, friend. We know you were at Alena
Ivanovna’s home, where you asked two porters to
direct
you to the bloodstains. You pleaded with them to take
you to a police station?
RODION (Perplexed): I never revealed anything of the
sort. How can you know this?
Porphyrius immediately tries to recover his
indiscretion.
PORPHYRIUS (With an amiable but awkward laugh):
Uhh...why, it was you. (More convincingly) Yes,
Rodion, in your state you spoke of your visit to the
vicitim’s house.
Rodion briefly becomes distressed trying to recall.
RODION: I don’t recollect much in my condition.
PORPHYRIUS (Trying to adopt an authoritative tone): In
all my years as a detective I have never witnessed a
condition like yours. Most people’s characters vary
in
such a state, but you maintain the same air, the same
stance…
The detective’s eyes glimpse at his notes, as though
he has forgotten the details. He does this
inconspicuously.
PORPHYRIUS: I apologise for that detour. It was
two…uhh…two days ago that two innocent women
were
brutally murdered there.
He now looks at his notes for a longer period
PORPHYRIUS: You inquired about blood?
Looking away from his notes and now at Rodion.
PORPHYRIUS: It seems strange that someone would do
that - don’t you think?
CAM FOCUSES ON RODION – CLOSE.
Rodion is silent.
PORPHYRIUS: You then “pleaded.”
As he says this, he stops his pacing and points at the
word on the page.
PORPHYRIUS: According to two porters, you pleaded with
them to take you to a po-lice station.
Porphyrius continues to pace past Rodion with his
cigarette in his left hand.
Rodion has now risen to his feet and is trembling. He
can barely stand he is so an-noyed. He launches into
an energetic harangue:
CAM FOCUSES ON RODION – ECU.
RODION: Arrest me! If you suppose I am the murderer
then I beg you to have me arrested. This meeting has
gone on too long. Your interrogation is nonsensical;
refer-ence after reference to laughable Stalinist
propaganda and Marx. I cannot permit this!
CAM DOES A 180 AND FOCUSES ON PORPYHRIUS - ECU.
Porphyrius represses an embarrassed laugh.
PORPHYRIUS (In a loud, frustrated tone): What is the
matter with you? You are not familiar with how we do
things around here.
Both men’s eyes are locked as they stare at each
other.
PORPHYRIUS: I am certain that if you continue in your
current state then you can only implicate yourself.
CUT TO:
ALENA IVANOVNA’S APARTMENT – TOP FLOOR –
DAY –
FLASHBACK – SCREEN IS BLACK AND WHITE.
Throughout this we hear discordant, Russian classical
music.
Elizabeth is sobbing hysterically.
Alena Ivanovna lies dead on the floor of her
apartment. Upon seeing the body her sis-ter,
Elizabeth, rushes to her side and clutches the
bludgeoned head. Without disturb-ing the distraught
woman, Rodion rushes forward, pulls back the weapon
and strikes with the sharp blade…
FADE BLACK
FADE IN
CUT TO:
INT. MAGISTRATE’S OFFFICE – DAY.
A noise can be heard from the adjoining room. Someone
wants to enter the magis-trate’s office, but is
being
prevented from doing so.
CAM FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS – CLOSE.
Porphyrius’ face shows a brief flash of
embarrassment.
CAM WHIPS TO RODION – CLOSE.
Rodion’s face reveals anxiety.
Both men stare at the door awaiting an entrance…
CAM PULLS BACK TO AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE INTERROGATION
ROOM. IT QUICKLY WHIPS ACROSS THE TOP OF THE CEILING
INTO THE NEXT ROOM.
Two men are grappling with each other but their
identities are not revealed. One of the men finally
opens the door.
Unknown man’s POV: we see Porphyrius and Rodion
– both
stunned.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK – BLACK AND WHITE.
Throughout this we hear discordant Russian classical
music.
Rodion Romanovitch is ascending Alena Ivanovna’s
staircase. As he reaches the sec-ond floor, he notices
two painters in a room with an open door. He tries to
be dis-creet, but is noticed by one of the painters.
CUT TO
INT INTERROGATION ROOM – EARLY EVENING.
The man is Nikola, the painter at Alena Ivanovna’s
building on the day of the murder. He is a very young
man; thin, of medium height, and dressed in
paint-splattered over-alls; his hair is shaved, his
features drawn and harsh.
The man whose hold Nikola has escaped from is a police
official. Many people collect in the doorway.
CAM SHOWS A FULL VIEW OF THE ROOM.
PORPHYRIUS: What are you doing, comrade?!
CAM FOCUSES ON NIKOLA – ECU.
Nikola drops to his knees.
NIKOLA: I am guilty! I am the murderer, comrade!
For a few moments there is a profound silence.
PORPHYRIUS: What? You?
CAM SHOWS RODION’S FACE – ECU.
He is sweating from the interrogation.
Porphyrius looks at Rodion. He looks frustrated and
angry whilst Rodion’s face re-veals great relief.
Porphyrius turns to question Nikola.
PORPHYRIUS: You…murdered…Alena Ivanovna? That
can’t
be? It just can’t be?
CAM FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS’ FACE – CLOSE.
Porphyrius looks rattled.
CAM DOES A 180 TURN. SHOT OF RODION – MEDIUM.
A controlled smile draws across Rodion’s face.
CAM WHIPS TO A SHOT OF NIKOLA.
NIKOLA: I did it – I did it with a hatchet.
On his knees, Nikola begins to sob.
CAM PULLS BACK TO REVEAL THE ENTIRE ROOM – LONG.
PORPHYRIUS: Get up. I said get up!
Porphyrius sighs.
PORPHYRIUS: Did you do this alone? Any…accomplices?
NIKOLA: Dmitri had nothing to do with it. It was my
own doing.
PORPHYRIUS: Don’t be so quick to lay the blame all
on
yourself.
RODION: Do you still need to interrogate me?
(Comically) Or do you still suppose I am guilty?
PORPHYRIUS: No…umm…you can go.
RODION’S POV: CAM SHOWS THE ENTIRE POLICE OFFICE.
Rodion nonchalantly walks out of the detective’s
office. He notices that a number of officers are
staring at him.
Moments later, Porphyrius runs out of his office.
CAM FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS – MEDIUM.
Porphyrius is panting heavily and sweating. He looks
beaten.
PORPHYRIUS: Rodion…Rodion. Wait!
CAM PULLS BACK AND SHOWS BOTH PORPHYRIUS AND RODION.
RODION: Yes, Porphyrius Petrovitch?
PORPHYRIUS: We may have a few more questions for you
so don’t leave Leningrad.
RODION: Why would I leave Leningrad? It’s not as
though I’ve got anything to hide from.
PORPHYRIUS: Goodbye for now, Rodion Romanovitch.
Porphyrius turns and begins to walk towards his
office.
Rodion shouts as he gains confidence.
RODION: I must add that your interrogations are
farcical.
Rodion emphasised this last word.
Porphyrius turns around to face Rodion.
CAM FOCUSES ON PORPHYRIUS – ECU.
Porphyrius replies in an incredulous manner tempered
with aggression.
PORPHYRIUS: Farcical?
RODION: You see Porphyrius, you have just been
declaring this man’s innocence when you have
probably
been trying to embed it in his brain: you are the
murderer. You are the murderer.
A smile appears on Porphyrius’ face.
PORPHYRIUS: So you noticed that I don’t think this
man
to be guilty of the murder.
RODION: How could I miss it? Are you aware that you’re
trembling?
PORPHYRIUS: Just like you were a few minutes ago, you
mean?
Rodion says in an assured tone:
RODION: Goodbye, Mr Petrovitch.
Rodion turns and walks away.
PORPHYRIUS: This isn’t over. It won’t be until
the
truth is known!
CAM RISES TO AN AERIAL VIEW OF RODION – LONG.
Rodion Romanovitch descends the stairs of the police
station. He has a mollified smile on his face.
Porphyrius Petrovitch looks exhausted. He sits down on
the stairs and holds his head in his hands.
FADE OUT
Word count: 2,692
ABBREVIATIONS
CAM camera
ECU extreme close-up
EXT exterior
INT interior
POV point of view
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