RIBS

Moscow 1963. When a Soviet doctor is suddenly brutalized and taken away by the KGB, his young assistant Anya must make a difficult decision - risk her life to provide a clandestine service to a mysterious patient, or walk away from those in need.

WE OPEN on a floor-to-ceiling wall of patient medical files. Patients wait in the waiting room of a small medical office as ANYA (20s), the young receptionist, escorts a female patient to the examination rooms in the back.

A KGB OFFICER and his Goons enter and kick everyone out. He sends his goons into the back to retrieve the doctor.

Anya hides as DR. STILYAGI (30s) is dragged out front, questioned by the KGB Officer, and roughed up. His allegiance is challenged before he’s hauled away. What did he do?After the KGB goons are gone, Anya races into Dr. Stilyagi’s office and rummages through his desk - she finds a manilla envelope labeled - “If I’m Taken.” Inside is a ZIPPO LIGHTER. Anya takes the lighter to the wall of patient files, ready to burn it all down, when there’s a KNOCK at the door.

The mysterious VERA (20s) knocks on the door, here for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Stilyagi, “to deliver.” She looks around and coddles her bulging jacket. Anya is hesitant but agrees to help and sends Vera straight to the back examination room.

Anya collects and reviews Vera’s new patient intake form, including the X-ray. In an empty examination room, Anya admits Dr. Stilyagi is gone and this is her first time working with a new patient. “You know we’ll get in a lot of trouble for this.” Anya remains steadfast she can do it. Is she here for an abortion?

Vera unzips her jacket to reveal... A vinyl record. Any form of Western music is considered contraband in the Soviet Union in 1963. If they’re caught, both women could be severely punished.

Anya takes the record, copies down the album information onto the new patient intake form. She isn’t sure how to proceed, but the women work together to build a makeshift record duplicator. They cut a circle out of Vera’s x-ray and burn a hole in the center... They copy the record onto Vera’s x-ray - a ribs recording.

Suddenly there’s a vicious pounding at the office door: the KGB Officer is back, drunk, and wants to get inside. Anya hesitates but opens the door. Pressure builds as he forces his way inside, searching the office. Fearing for her safety, Anya grabs a scalpel but he quickly disarms her. Fearing the worst, she recoils, but he leans in menacingly, “Do you... have any Elvis Presley?”

Anya gives the KGB Officer an x-ray copy of an Elvis record and ushers him out the door. Anya runs back to find Vera crying as she listens to their new x-ray record. She is inspired by Vera’s bravery, but they need to go, before someone else comes back.

The women prepare to leave but not before Anya adds Vera’s new “patient file” to the floor-to-ceiling wall of patient files (we opened the film on), now understood to be... a secret music library.

Authoritarian governments fear artistic expression. This film is more important than ever.
Find out more information about the Ribs short film at https://themysterytin.com/ribs-pre-production/

CREDITS

  • Director: Christopher Hills Eaton

  • Producers: Matthew Rachamkin

  • Executive Producers: David Zucker

DONATE (PAYPAL)

We can accept donations via Zelle (through your bank account) @ fiscal@woodstockfilmfestival.org or by check (made out and sent to Woodstock Film Festival, PO Box 1406, Woodstock, NY 12498) or ACH/wire transfer for any amount. Please clearly note you are donating to RIBS.

RIBS is a fiscally sponsored project of The Woodstock Film Festival, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Your generous contribution will support an outreach campaign to help RIBS reach a wide audience.

Please contact fiscal@woodstockfilmfestival.org for any questions regarding donations. 

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