Co-production of the Soyuzmultfilm Moscow & Defa animationfilm Dresden
Ballad about a desk A social educational advertisement (" A Film-Poster")
Script writer Alexander Bezymensky
directed by Roman Davydov & Michael Kalinin Art-direction Roman Davydov
cameraman Nikolai Grinberg music D. Lvov-Kompaneyets sound Boris Filchikov
animator Lev Zhdanov Assistant director M. Korabelhikova Cutter N. Aravina
puppets and decor Roman Gurov
(Voice)actors: Alexander Bezymensky & Igor Ilyinsky
On our joyful earth
everyone must fight against evil.
This is the idea
the essence of this ballad is about a desk.
It will enroll before your eyes
in colored film frames.
I'll read it to you with an actor,
known to you since a long time*. * Igor Ilyinsky
I have the honor to introduce him myself.
This is the hero of the ballad.
This hero lived quietly,
worked somewhere,
and was modest in all respects.
Although his soul was quite secretive.
Valuing the dignity of the hero, he was forgiven for this sin.
He worked as well as anyone.
In his speeches he did not disturb
people, neither small nor big.
He was efficient, helpful, quiet.
And in a short period, his service zeal,
and exemplary behavior
captivated his superiors.
So now a reward is given to him.
[Assignment]
Here begins our ballad.
There was a desk placed in the office on a prominent spot in the room.
There wasn't anything special
about the office item.
Usually on an ordinary floor just a common desk is planted
Having received his assignment,
the hero of the ballad
began work in his new office.
He was amiable, easy going and caring
as well as very polite in his conversation.
I want to work well together with everyone.
I'll arrange matters. Make them happen. I'll solve matters.
Call on me at any time.
Just come in - I beg you!
I will solved questions myself.
I'll research it.
I'll fix it.
Clever and agile,
he went around his office,
he checked out the furniture
and quietly sat down at his desk.
He immediately changed on the spot.
Look, here's what happened
he manifested all his fervor and intelligence,
his zeal, his scope.
[Chief]
[Do not enter without being called in!]
Grumbling, he leaned his forehead
towards his papers and requests.
Compared to him at his desk,
all people became small.
The comrade became both rude and angry,
as soon as he sat down at this desk.
Application. Send urgently. - Refusal.
I will not give permission.
I will not intervene to resolve this issue.
11 references must be sent.
Immediately send to the archive,
to get pidgeon-holed and put in the waste-basket.
The paper rustles, [Urgent request]
and the work comes to a standstill
[Urgent request]
[Do not enter without being called in!]
Sergey Kuzmich!
What an honor, that you call me yourself!
And this is true, without flattery.
After all, I'm a pigmy compared to you.
Your call I reckon, if I am in order.
I owe you too much.
To work at such a post...
This post is not frightening for me,
Thanks to your support,
I seem to grow by leaps and bounds.
Your intrusion hinders the work.
Jezus, what an energetic, self-confident petitioner.
Is the work worth it? Wait...never mind...
Come and visit me in a month or two.
I will not give permission, I will not intervene to resolve this issue.
The question is to be postponed till the spring.
Immediately to the archive, under the carpet and in the waste-basket.
The papers rustle,
but the work is worth it.
He is glued to his armchair and was strict.
Nothing can penetrate him.
Because the voices of other people's anxieties
do not disturb him at all.
Like by a stone wall,
everything was shielded from his lofty desk.
[Chief]
Do not enter, without being called
No, I can not pay attention to you.
I'm busy.
I'm in the middle of
a meeting.
No, I do not need such control!
I'll dismiss it, I will not set in motion, I will forbid it, I will not allow it.
[Decree. I will not allow it.]
Decree. Rebuke!
Decree. To be layed off.
But then a thunder sounded above him.
And you can easily guess,
for what he got thrown out
from his study, and his desk.
But now he's kicked off from his desk.
Just look, he is like he was before.
His face friendly, his words gentle.
once more he became common and very polite.
He was so full of a smile,
though once again plant him behind a desk...
I read you the entire story.
No, not at all.
I heard the opinion,
that, they say, the desk is guilty of everything
and one needs this kind of position in an institution.
Oh, no, it's not teh job-type!
Not the desk, but people are to blame,
that at another honest table
sometimes bureaucrats get seated.
How to fight back such a disaster?
"What is the conclusion?" - The conclusion I have:
Do not admit them to a position
and chase them away from their desks.
The End Subs by lemicnor & Eus November 2017