Part 1 of 8
Spinning Boris Screenplaywritten by Yuri Zeltser & Cary Bickley
directed by Roger Spottiswoode
© 2002 Hallmark Entertainment Distribution, LLC
Showtime presents
a Licht/Mueller Film Corporation production
a film by Roger Spottiswoode
based on a true story
MOSCOW, June 16, 1996
JEFF GOLDBLUM
ANTHONY LAPAGLIA
LIEV SCHREIBER
BORIS KRUTONOG
SVETLANA EFREMOVA
SHAUNA MACDONALD
Casting by BETH KLEIN, TINA GERUSSI CDC
Music by JEFF DANNA
Edited by MICHAEL PACEK
Written by YURI ZELTSER & CARY BICKLEY
Directed by ROGER SPOTTISWOODE
Production Designer TAAVO SOODOR
Director of Photography JOHN BARTLEY ASC CSC
Producer CYDNEY BERNARD
Executive Producers ANDREW LICHT, JEFFREY A. MUELLER, JOHN MORRIS
[George Gorton] Can I make a call? To the United States? America?
[Post Office Clerk] Nyet. Lines nyet. No calls.
[George Gorton] [Gives her money] Isn’t there any way to …
[Post Office Clerk] [Points to a telephone]
[George Gorton’s Answering Machine] Hi, there, you’ve reached the office of George Gorton in Sacramento. Tell me everything.
[George Gorton] Hi, this is me, George Gorton. I’m here in Moscow, Russia. It’s June 16, 1996, about 4:00 p.m. my time. The reason I am calling you is because I’m going to be killed today, or disappear, in which case I want the police to know what happened.
***
[WILSON FOR PRESIDENT, Campaign Headquarters, Eight months earlier]
[Joe Shumate] Okay, ladies. We start where we always start, with 6-0 points for Wilson’s speech. What we’re looking for is a magic number: one tiny positive digit that we can spin in our favor and make this funeral look like a birthday party. Trust me. It’s going to take a little creative analysis. But, in the immortal words of George Herbert Bush, “Nobody said it was going to be easy, and Nobody was right.”
[Dick Dresner] [Talking on phone] We don’t want the goddamned poll tomorrow, we want it yesterday, which means we better get it today or I’m going to fly up there and I’m going to rip out your goddamned windpipe.
[Joe Shumate] Dick!
[Dick Dresner] [Talking on phone] Listen, Dwayne, Dwayne, Dwayne … I know it’s a mock election. I don’t care. We’re going to win place or at least show, okay? What do you mean you don’t have any voters? Round up some hicks in Nebraska, and bus them to Iowa. And pay them to vote for Wilson! … They are pig farmers! It doesn’t have to be kosher.
[Joe Shumate] [Laughing]
[George Gorton] Oh my gosh! Look who it is. My, my, my. To what do I owe? I must be doing something right.
[Female Journalist] I don’t think so, George. You guys got no votes, no funds, and zero party support. Off the record: do you really think you can turn it around?
[George Gorton] Off the record?
[Female Journalist] Uh hum.
[George Gorton] Okay. Here’s how we do it. Now pay attention, these are secrets of the trade. Put your right hand in, put your right hand out, put your right hand in, and shake it all about. The next part is crucial – [doo doo doo doo doo doo]
No, that’s what it’s all about. We’re going to turn it around.
[Female Journalist] Hum. You’re never off the record, are you?
[George Gorton] Like you are! Hum, dinner tonight at 8:00? [Cell phone ringing] What is that sound? We can talk. What do you think? Really.
[George Gorton] [To cell phone] Hello. Governor! Yeah, yeah, hang on one second. Let me go some place quiet. Yeah. [Whistles to his guys to come]
Right. No, of course. As long as it’s for the good of the campaign. Uh hum. No! Yeah. I’m sure you’re making the right decision.
[Angrily throws phone into the garbage can]
[Joe Shumate] Let me guess: good news.
[George Gorton] He wants me to bend over to Fuller. [Imitating Governor] “I feel I have to have national presence. George, Fuller’s in a better position for it than you are.”
[Dick Dresner] “Better position?” You’ve given him 20 years of your life! I mean, he’d be governor of BumFuck without you.
[George Gorton] He doesn’t trust me to write a presidential campaign.
[Joe Shumate] Look, George, we’re a team. You go, we go.
[George Gorton] Oh, no, you’re going to stay here. Because a paycheck’s a paycheck and, you know, it’s a Titanic anyway. Wilson doesn’t stand a rat’s chance. We all know that in a couple of weeks, you guys are going to be unemployed, too.
***
[January, 1996]
[President Clinton] [On TV] Our sixth challenge, is to maintain America’s leadership in the fight for freedom and peace throughout the world.
[Dick Dresner] [Watching TV with his wife and anticipating Clinton’s speech] “Because of American leadership, more people than ever before will live free and at peace.”
[President Clinton] [On TV] Because of American leadership, more people than ever before will live free and at peace.
[Dick Dresner's Wife] Honey, that’s amazing.
[Dick Dresner] That’s because Dick Morris wrote that damned speech. I know Dick’s voice better than I know my own.
[Dick Dresner's Wife] You’re sounding jealous.
[Dick Dresner] Why? Just because he’s whispering into the President’s ear while I’m sitting on my hands during a major election year? I’m a consultant without a campaign.
***
[Wilson Campaign Headquarters]
[Joe Shumate] [Looking at computer] Uh hum. There it is.
[Telephone rings]
[Joe Shumate] [Answers phone] Joe Shumate!
[Felix Braynin] Mr. Shumate. With pleasure. My name is Felix Braynin. I’m a Russian-American businessman, and I live in Sausalito. My references are good and long. I fax as we speak.
[Joe Shumate] You don’t sound like you’re calling from Sausalito, Mr. Braynin.
[Felix Braynin] Uh … Felix. Felix, Felix, please. But no, you’re correct. I’m in Moscow. And I’m calling to proposition you, Mr. Shumate.
[Joe Shumate] Ha, ha! Oh, really! Well, I’m very flattered, but …
[Felix Braynin] Please! Please read the fax, then give me a buzz.
[Joe Shumate] [Reading the fax] Uh, it says here, you want to hire my partners and me for a campaign.
[Felix Braynin] Not quite. It says, “The” campaign.
[Joe Shumate] Yep! It sure does. But it doesn’t seem to mention here who the candidate is.
[Felix Braynin] Now, that’s correct. It’s not secure.
[Joe Shumate] Not secure? Ha, ha. Well, Mr. Braynin, do you ever intend to tell us who the candidate is?
[Felix Braynin] You’re a smart man, Mr. Shumate. You can figure it out yourself.
[Joe Shumate] Okay! [Laughing] Well, let’s see. The Russian presidential election is in five months and … uh …when you say “The” campaign, you don’t mean the --
[Felix Braynin] No! No names. Not now. But yes, your assumption is correct.
***
[George Gorton] [cell phone ringing while getting a massage] Heaven!
[Joe Shumate] George, it’s Joe. We have to talk.
[George Gorton] Joe! You sound tense. Man, you’ve got to find your equilibrium, like I did.
[Joe Shumate] Get rid of her! I’ve got a guy on the line who wants us for a gig.
[George Gorton] Uh, wrong number, Joe. I’m now a full-time spiritual rejuvenator.
[Joe Shumate] The gig’s in Russia, and I think its for Yeltsin.
[George Gorton] You think it’s for Yeltsin? [Laughing] What’s the client thing?
[Joe Shumate] Uh, he didn’t say. He wouldn’t say. Not on the telephone. Now look, just let me get him on the phone, okay? You can do it for yourself. Hang on one second.
[Dials Felix Braynin’s number] Mr. Braynin? You are now on with my partner, George Gorton and myself.
[Felix Braynin] Ah! Mr. Gorton! Big pleasure. My name is Felix Braynin. I’m a Russian-American businessman.
[Joe Shumate] His references are good and long, George.
[George Gorton] Congratulations, Mr. Braynin. Uh, you’ll make America proud, I’m sure. [Cries out due to rough massage] Whose campaign do you want us to market?
[Felix Braynin] No, Mr. Gorton. I can’t possibly divulge any more information at this time.
[George Gorton] Okay. Thanks for your interest. Let us send you some literature on what we do, and then you can make an informed choice.
[Felix Braynin] No, no, no, no! Wait! We know all about you. You were HIGHLY recommended.
[Joe Shumate] Okay, okay. Mr. Braynin, can I just put you on hold for one more second. Just one more second and we’ll be right back with you. Hang on there.
[To George] George, I know what you’re thinking –
[George Gorton] And you’re going to go fuck yourself?
[Joe Shumate] No. Now listen, George. Okay. He is probably nuts. That would make a lot of sense that he’s nuts. But did you ever think for a second, just one second here, George, that he actually may be for real? I mean, you know, what if this is Yeltsin?
[George Gorton] If? If my grandmother had balls, she’d be my grandfather.
[Joe Shumate] George, I need you to concentrate. Okay? George, listen to me. This is the first free election in Russia EVER! Okay? The expected voter turnout is 63%. George, that is 90 million people. Group consulting is to move those kinds of numbers. We’ve never had that kind of power before. For Christ’s sake, George, this could be the Mt. Everest of consulting. [Silence] George? Are you listening to me!?
[George Gorton] Yeah, I’m multi-tasking.
[Joe Shumate] Let me just get Dick on the line, okay? He’s good at cutting through the bullshit.
[George Gorton] Yeah, you’re going to need a big knife. Yeah.
[Dick Dresner] [Phone rings] Uh huh.
[George Gorton] Uh, DICK! This is George and Joe here. We have a Yakov Smirnoff on hold. He says he wants us for a gig in Russia, maybe for Yeltsin.
[Joe Shumate] I have the biggest election in the history of democracy.
[Dick Dresner] Okay, sure. I got nothing to do.
[Joe Shumate] Okay, now we’re talking. Hang on.
[To Felix Braynin] Mr. Braynin, Dick Dresner has joined us here.
[Dick Dresner] Uh, Mr. Braynin, this is Dick Dresner. How much money do you have to spend on this campaign?
[Felix Braynin] Unlimited. Whatever it takes to win.
[Dick Dresner] For something like this, you’re going to need state of the art everything: offices, telephone system, computers, Internet, production facilities, television, radio – do you have all of that in Russia?
[Felix Braynin] Well, if we don’t have something, we’ll buy it for you, Mr. Dresner. Anything else?
[Dick Dresner] Yeah, our fee is a quarter of a million dollars, plus expenses, and first class airline tickets.
[Felix Braynin] Uh huh. Done! Our only request is that this arrangement be top secret. Congratulations, my friends. You’re hired. I’ll let the client know we got the Americans. [Hangs up]
[George Gorton] I can’t believe how stupid we are!
[Joe Shumate] What are you talking about, George? This could be the gig of all gigs.
[Dick Dresner] Yeah, come on, George! This is the world stage. If we get Yeltsin re-elected, we’re going to be hotter than wildfire.
[George Gorton] We should have asked for a million!
***
[Airplane to Russia]
[Moscow, February 21, 1996, 116 days until election]
[Team Yeltsin freezing on runway without jackets]
[George Gorton] I think this is all a Russian conspiracy to get me out of Bali!
[Dick Dresner] I want to go back, and I’m not giving them a damned refund!
[Joe Shumate] Come on, guys! Keep your pantyhose on! So they are a little late. Russians aren’t exactly known for their punctuality.
[Three black limos drive up, and a bunch of mobsters with guns get out]
[Felix Braynin] Gentlemen! I’m Felix Braynin. Welcome to Moscow. [Hugs George]
[George Gorton] Good to meet you!
[Felix Braynin] [Hugs Dick] Yeah, you look a little cold, there. [Hugs Joe] Welcome, welcome! Good to see you!
[Dick Dresner] Mr. Braynin, are we or are we not working for Boris Yeltsin?
[Felix Braynin] Yes, of course we are, but please, no names!
***
[Riding through Moscow in the limo]
[George Gorton] Felix, you like to travel with a lot of security, huh?
[Felix Braynin] Just part of doing business in Russia, my friend. The homicide rate here is twice as high as in America. And murders, they are mostly related to drugs or gangs. Here, most of the victims are businessmen and politicians.
***
[Entering building]
[Felix Braynin] You can take any empty box. Yeah, any empty space is fine. Please, do take off your clothes.
[Joe Shumate] What for?
[George Gorton] [Laughing]
[Felix Braynin] El bana, of course.
[Dick Dresner] What in the hell is Bana?
[Felix Braynin] So sorry. This is “Bana.” “Bath-house.”
[Joe Shumate] You want us to take a bath with you.
[Felix Braynin] Don’t worry. It’s a Russian tradition. Your host insists.
[Dick Dresner] I thought YOU were our host.
[Felix Braynin] Me? [Laughing] No. I just work for him.
[George Gorton] Oh, really? Hey, can I ask you a little question, Felix, about this bath? Um, is it necessary? Um, we don’t want to offend our host or anything –
[Felix Braynin] I’m not offended. You will be.
[George Gorton] Really? It’s just that we do so much better in meetings when we’re clothed.
[Felix Braynin] Correct. Gentlemen, it’ll be just fine.
[Enter bath, 3 women in towels, one man on cellphone]
[Felix Braynin] [Introducing Team Yeltsin] George Gorton, Dick Dresner, Joe Shumate. Meet Andrei Lugov.
[Andrei Lugov] They are very nice, yes? The girls! They are friends of mine. You can have them for the night, or they can live with you. I’ll pay for either.
[Joe Shumate] Thank you. Thank you. That’s a very kind offer. [Laughing] Unfortunately, I’m married, practically a newlywed. So, bad timing.
[Dick Dresner] Yeah, me, too. I’m married. And my wife is very familiar with sharp objects.
[Andrei Lugov] Ah, pity! Pity! But George, you are a free man, hmm?!
[George Gorton] Yeah, no, yeah, but I make a point to never pay for sex, even with somebody else’s money. It’s a matter of principle.
[Andrei Lugov] Principle?! Uh, interesting. Interesting that you have them.
[Speaks to girls in Russian and they get up and leave]
In the post-Soviet era, the position of women in Russian society remains at least as problematic as it was in previous decades. In both cases, a number of nominal legal protections for women either have failed to address the existing conditions or have failed to supply adequate support. In the 1990s, increasing economic pressures and shrinking government programs left women with little choice but to seek employment, although most available positions were as substandard as in the Soviet period, and generally jobs of any sort were more difficult to obtain. Such conditions contribute heavily to Russia's declining birthrate and the general deterioration of the family....
Russian women in the 1990s predominate in economic sectors where pay is low, and they continue to receive less pay than men for comparable positions. In 1995 men in health care earned an average of 50 percent more than women in that field, and male engineers received an average of 40 percent more than their female colleagues. Despite the fact that, on average, women are better educated than men, women remain in the minority in senior management positions. In the Soviet era, women's wages averaged 70 percent of men's; by 1995 the figure was 40 percent, according to the Moscow-based Center for Gender Studies. According to a 1996 report, 87 percent of employed urban Russians earning less than 100,000 rubles a month (for value of the ruble--see Glossary) were women, and the percentage of women decreased consistently in the higher wage categories.
According to reports, women generally are the first to be fired, and they face other forms of on-the-job discrimination as well. Struggling companies often fire women to avoid paying child care benefits or granting maternity leave, as the law still requires. In 1995 women constituted an estimated 70 percent of Russia's unemployed, and as much as 90 percent in some areas.
Sociological surveys show that sexual harassment and violence against women have increased at all levels of society in the 1990s. More than 13,000 rapes were reported in 1994, meaning that several times that number of that often-unreported crime probably were committed. In 1993 an estimated 14,000 women were murdered by their husbands or lovers, about twenty times the figure in the United States and several times the figure in Russia five years earlier. More than 300,000 other types of crimes, including spousal abuse, were committed against women in 1994....
Often women with families are forced to work because of insufficient state child allowances and unemployment benefits. Economic hardship has driven some women into prostitution. In the Soviet period, prostitution was viewed officially as a form of social deviancy that was dying out as the Soviet Union advanced toward communism. In the 1990s, organized crime has become heavily involved in prostitution, both in Russia and in the cities of Central and Western Europe, to which Russian women often are lured by bogus advertisements for match-making services or modeling agencies. According to one estimate, 10,000 women from Central Europe, including a high proportion of Russians, have been lured or forced into prostitution in Germany alone....
[T]he most frequently offered job in new businesses is that of secretary, and advertisements often specify physical attractiveness as a primary requirement. Russian law provides for as much as three years' imprisonment for sexual harassment, but the law rarely is enforced. Although the Fund for Protection from Sexual Harassment has blacklisted 300 Moscow firms where sexual harassment is known to have taken place, demands for sex and even rape still are common on-the-job occurrences....
Prior to the 1995 elections, women held about 10 percent of the seats in parliament: fifty-seven of 450 seats in the State Duma and nine of 178 seats in the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council. The Soviet system of mandating legislative seats generally allocated about one-third of the seats in republic-level legislatures and one-half of the seats in local soviets to women, but those proportions shrank drastically with the first multiparty elections of 1990.
-- Russia: A Country Study, by Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, edited by Glenn E. Curtis
Gentlemen, you like fish eggs? There was a time when I sold eggs on the street. Chicken eggs. And now I own one of the largest businesses in Russia.
[George Gorton] Thank God for democracy!
[Andrei Lugov] And for Yeltsin! Without him, I would have nothing. Sometimes not even the eggs.
[Hands vodka all around and makes a toast.] The President is behind in the polls.
[George Gorton] Yes, we are aware of that, Mr. Lugov. And we’re ready to rise to the challenge. We have a system that’s called –
[Andrei Lugov] You don’t understand. Yeltsin is the only candidate who represents true democracy. And our democracy is young and fragile like a baby, you know? With a pantload of shit! The country is in chaos, you know. It’s suffering starvation, crime, organized not so much. Look, look at me. Look at me. I have 200 bodyguards, and do you think I can sleep at night? Do you? No. No. I am worrying about the future. Because imagine if the Communists win. Then what? Then we are all really screwed, and the whole world is screwed with us. It’s a catastrophe of costly proportions.
[Joe Shumate] Excuse me, Mr. Lugov. What line of business are you in?
[Andrei Lugov] Mr. Shumate, my business is my business. Okay, gentlemen, you are hired. I’ll let the President know that we have Americans.
[Dick Dresner] When can we see Mr. Yeltsin?
[Andrei Lugov] Two more, or some other day. Who is to know?
[Dick Dresner] [Mimicking Andrei to Joe] “Who is to know?”
[Felix Braynin] You know men, that went very well. Andrei is impressed, I can tell!
[Joe Shumate] What exactly is his role in the campaign, Mr. Braynin?
[Felix Braynin] Technically he’s not really a part of the campaign. He just handles certain monies.
[George Gorton] “Certain monies.” Oh! Is he mafia?
[Felix Braynin] Mafia?!!! Oh, God, no! He would have you killed if he heard you say that.
[Joe Shumate] [Laughs and drinks his vodka with Team Yeltsin]