The Defection of Simas Kudirka (1978 TV Movie)

Alan Arkin: Simas Kudirka

Quotes 

• Prosecutor : In the spring of 1963 while you were working on the Sovetskaya Litva, is it not true you monitored foreign broadcasts of propaganda and fed them through the ship's speaker system?

  Simas Kudirka : Music.

  [quietly] 

  Prosecutor : Speak up, please! Do you admit to this act?

  Simas Kudirka : Rock and roll music.

  Prosecutor : I can't hear you!

  Simas Kudirka : What difference does it make?

  Lithuanian Court Judge : The defendant will speak louder.

  Simas Kudirka : What difference does it make!

  [yelling and standing up] 

  Simas Kudirka : You will convict me of treason, the same way you made me radio operator: because it suits your needs! What about my needs?

  Genna Kudirka : Simas.

  [in a hushing tone] 

  Simas Kudirka : I tell you, you are looking at a frightened rabbit; all my life I have done everything out of fear! When I jumped to the American ship, the fuse pounding in my heart so much I thought it would break into a thousand pieces. But the fear behind me was much worse than anything I was going in to. That's why I jumped. That's why I jumped. There was no treason; there was a life time of walking with my eyes down. You say I should have guilt because of my family - I do! But worse than that is the shame that I feel, that I felt, because I feared you so much! You accuse me of treason? I accuse YOU OF TREASON! You've taken a nation of men and turned us into sheep! But I have been in your prisons, I have been through your nightmare! What more is there to fear from you?

• Commander Edward Devon : Now, where do you live?

  [louder] 

  Commander Edward Devon : Home!

  Simas Kudirka : Home! Home Klaipeda, Lietuva. Klaipeda, Lietuva.

  Commander Edward Devon : Lietuva? In Russia?

  Simas Kudirka : No Russia, no! Klaipeda contrary. Russia take Lietuva. Lietuva prisoner.

• Commander Edward Devon : Where is he?

  [running up some steps; an officer opens up a door to what appears to be a closet] 

  Simas Kudirka : Hello! I am here! Thank you!