Евгения Гришковец – Aina and the Maelstrom (страница 1)

Евгения Гришковец

Aina and the Maelstrom

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DRAMA

A mother kills her daughter for straying from the traditions of a patriarchal world.

A mother, terrified of shame, constantly criticizes her daughter who wants to be modern. A Muslim family lives in Adygea, where unofficial, strict patriarchal orders are upheld within individual families. The daughter works in a large metropolis, a half‑hour drive from home, where domestic violence is condemned. The duality of the family's rules is evident in the fact that Aina is the de facto breadwinner for her elderly parents, yet she has no voice of her own.

1.

Aina was born in Adygea into a Muslim family. Her strict parents failed to protect their daughter from an early pregnancy. Aina's younger brother was deeply affected by the family's troubles. As an adult, he constantly demanded proper behavior from his sister. The whole family regarded Aina with suspicion, although by nature the girl was quiet and modest. Her relatives' nagging upset Aina.

Aina worked at a bank in a large city. There she met her colleague, Galina. Galina is a married woman, unsatisfied with her marriage. Sergei, Galina's husband, shows her no warmth and constantly criticizes her. Together, the women try to add some variety to their leisure time.

1.

Aina and Galina spend time together after work, taking walks and discussing their personal problems. For both Galya and Aina, these rare meetings become a welcome outlet. Aina is quite reserved, and Galya doesn't always understand what weighs on her young, unmarried friend. So when Aina disappears, Galina feels lost. After all, formally, Aina has no major problems. Galina notices that no one is seriously looking for Aina. A relative of Aina's (Aslan) works at the local police station and doesn't want gossip about his family. Galya starts questioning Aina's relatives and begins to suspect them.

1.

Galina's suspicion falls first on Aina's brother, then on her parents. Aina's father blames himself. But the guilty party turns out to be the mother. She prevents her daughter from getting out of the river, which is known for its whirlpools. A young girl dies in one of them.

1.

The relative from the police (Aslan) hears the mother's confession. His expression doesn't change. He doesn't seem surprised. After this reaction, it becomes clear that no one will search for or punish Aina's killer.

It is not revealed who the father of Aina's child was. It's not the pregnancy itself that matters, but the protagonist's gender. This is intentional. Because the constant criticism of Aina didn't depend on her early pregnancy. She was treated like a problem from birth, simply because she was a girl – and a girl can bring shame to the family. A son's every action, on the other hand, is a source of pride and admiration.

[PAGE 1]

AINA

INT. PRIVATE HOUSE IN ADYGEA. DAY

A sunlit room in a private house with a table in the middle. A married couple sits in silence opposite each other: a woman around 40 with a heavy gaze from her black eyes, named SIMA, and a large man, about five years older, RUSTEM.

Beside the parents stands their 14‑year‑old son, AKHMAD. He is stocky, dark‑haired. His swollen, red eyes show he has been crying recently.

The ticking of a wall clock is heard. Rustem slams his fist on the table with a loud smack.

Akhmed whimpers and runs out of the room past the kitchen.

In the kitchen stands his sister, AINA. She is 16, very graceful, with long hair pulled up in a high bun. The girl throws a pinch of salt into boiling water and steps back to avoid splashes hitting her belly. From the side, it's visible that Aina is 4‑5 months pregnant. A distracted smile plays on her face.

EXT. BIG CITY. MIDDLE OF THE WORKDAY.

Crowds of hurrying people, among which young girls and women stride energetically with serious expressions. They are all different. In pants, in skirts, in strict suits, sitting behind the wheel of a car, touching up their lips in the rearview mirror.

Female laughter is heard. A short‑haired blonde walks a dog on a leash; another, in comfortable sneakers, pushes a stroller with one hand, a mobile phone pressed to her ear with the other.

The city noise fades. It is overtaken by birdsong and the sight of a wide, calm river.

EXT.

A bird's‑eye view. The river is the border between the modern city and Adygea.

EXT. A WEDDING IN THE NEIGHBORING YARD.

Near a private one‑story house stands Aina's mother, SIMA. She is taking laundry from a tub and hanging it on the line. Sima is dressed in a long, loose‑fitting, straight‑cut dress; she wears a headscarf. Sima looks into the neighboring yard. There's a wedding. Three cars decorated with balloons and ribbons are waiting by the gate. In the yard, the groom is talking with the bride's parents. The bride, in evening makeup, peeks out of the window.

Aina's mother sighs heavily and shakes her head.

SIMA

Now, that's lucky!

Aina hears her mother's exclamation. Aina is now 24 years old. She is slender and attractive. She's wearing dark jeans. Her thick hair is loose.

EXT. FAST, SHALLOW MOUNTAIN STREAM. SUMMER. DAY.

Aina sits waist‑deep in the river on a natural ledge formed by blue clay. Aina is in a dark sports swimsuit. Red marks, resembling bruises, are visible on her bare arms. Aina cries silently. Leaves drift in the clear, running water. Aina watches one leaf. It moves unusually: not with the current, but straight towards Aina. It's a snake. Aina gasps and quickly scrambles onto the bank.

[PAGE 2]

INT. BANK. SMALL HALL. TWO WINDOWS. TECHNICAL BREAK.

Aina sits at the first teller window, facing a computer screen, clicking the mouse.

AINA (O.S.)

What a nightmare! When will he finally come and fix the printer? I'm embarrassed in front of the clients.

At the second window, behind a glass partition, sits GALYA.

Galya is 40. Galya is married, with two children. Galya looks very young; she has an athletic figure and short hair.

Galya and Aina wear white blouses and dark trousers; green uniform scarves with the bank's logo are tied around their necks.

GALYA looks at Aina and speaks cheerfully.

GALYA

You know why the printer always breaks during our shift, right?

AINA (with doubt in her voice)

You think so? But he's married!

Galya snorts and doesn't answer.

INT. GALYA'S APARTMENT. KITCHEN. EVENING AFTER WORK.

Galya, in a short house dress, is cooking dinner. Two boys, 10 and 12, are doing homework behind Galya. The boys occasionally pinch each other, interfering with each other's writing. Galya's husband, SERGEI, enters. Sergei is 45, a slender, short brunet.

Sergei addresses Galya (displeased tone).

SERGEI

You could at least watch how they're doing their homework! Their handwriting is like chicken scratch!

GALYA (not turning around, tiredly‑indifferent)

And what are you for? I either handle dinner or the kids – take your pick!

SERGEI (irritated)

Other women somehow manage to do both…

GALYA

Yeah, other women manage, but you don't!

The boys exchange glances and start gathering their notebooks. They leave the kitchen.

SERGEI (calming down)

I still don't understand what you spend your time on. You don't have any friends. You could just sit after work and cook soup.