All language subtitles for The.German.Lesson.2019

WILD BUNCH GERMANY PRESENTS

A NETWORK MOVIE FILM PRODUCTION

A SENATOR FILM K�LN PRODUCTION

IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH ZDF

SUPPORTED BY
FILM-UND MEDIASTIFTUNG NRW

FILMF�RDERUNG HAMBURG
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

FILMF�RDERUNGSANSTALT

DEUTSCHER FILMF�DERFONDS
AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

COMMISSIONER FOR CULTURE
AND MEDIA

BASED ON THE BESTSELLING NOVEL
BY SIEGFRIED LENZ

THE JOYS OF DUTY

Siggi Jepsen.

Siggi Jepsen?

Any questions?

Siggi?

Close the door.

THE GERMAN LESSON

Get undressed.

Turn around.

GERMAN ESSAYS BY SIGGI JEPSEN

"THE JOYS OF DUTY"

- Is Max there?
- Down by the moat.

Come on, Siggi.

Jens?

Is it something
from the capital?

I'll go on to the moat.

- Jens.
- Max.

It's looking a little rage,
right?

You're to read this at once.

It's all perfectly clear,
Jens.

Except for the signature.
The signature is illegible.

They have a lot
that needs signing.

Hmm.

Painting prohibited,
working prohibited.

Eating prohibited,
drinking prohibited.

No one can sign his name
legibly, to something like that.

The prohibition
is to be enforced

by the recipient
that is informed.

Yes, so it says.

I am not the one
who had the idea.

I just had the bear
the message.

The prohibition is pronounced
and in force.

Yes, but...
only in the capital, Jens.

I've been ordered to make
sure the ban on painting

is maintained.

I'm nearest to you.

POLICE STATION RUGB�LL

- Not that one.
- They say these pictures are sick.

No, not my painting!

Cut it out.

Cut it out!

There, take it to my office.

Go on!

Father said
something about sick pictures.

Hmm?

I'm going down
to the water.

You're hardly back
and you leave again.

See you.

Hilke!

Siggi, go home.

Siggi!

No!

- Tell us what it's called?
- "Laughing Gulls on Duty."

You're not allowed to paint.

Open up!

Open it up!

Siggi!

Down with your pants.

Hm.

Bend over.

Turn around.

What do you have to say?

I have to be at home
when there's a thunderstorm.

That's your mother's wish,
and mine as well.

And not enjoying
thunderstorms!

Useful people must comply,
my boy.

We'll turn you into
something useful.

Has he been working,
the painter?

I asked you something.

Was he painting?

Gulls.

He painted seagulls.

Gulls?

Mm-hmm.

And every gull
looked like you.

We're going to work together,
Siggi.

Nobody's a match
for the two of us.

Not even him.

You will work for me,

and I'll make something
useful out of you.

Oh, Siggi.

Does your father
know you're here?

Mm-mm.

They think painting
is dangerous.

They think...

that I am dangerous, Siggi.

I!

Shall we paint together?

Hm?

- Mm-hmm.
- But you mustn't tell anyone.

You promise me that?

Here we are.

There.

This one is for the outlines.

And then we take care
of the colors.

Where have the people gone?

Are they dead?

Certainly not.

Your father won't be able
to harm me, Siggi.

I'm not painting.

You were at the painter's
pretty long.

And?
Was he painting?

No.

What were you doing
the whole time?

I was painting.

What was the painter doing?

He was teaching me.

He was teaching you what?

How to paint pain.

You're supposed
to watch him,

but I don't want you
to paint there, Siggi.

Hilke?

Siggi.

Where have the people
from the empty house gone?

What makes you ask that?

Where have they gone?

Somewhere nicer than here.

And where is that?

Where it's nicer?

Push harder, Siggi.

Max, Ditte said
the people you've spent

so many years with,

you have to drink a toast
to your birthday with them.

And...

we must stick together
after all, us from Gl�serup.

Yep!

What rubbish we came up with
together, right, Jens?

A crafty pair of rascals
we were, the two of us.

And we both had an eye on that
Gudrun of yours back then,

do you remember that?

You chose him even though
I painted you

in the most beautiful colors.

But you were from
different stock.

Young, sturdy, handsome.

Three children have resulted
from your marriage,

whom I've become
very attached to.

Klaas,

your eldest,
who is out there

hoping to bring honor
to the Fatherland.

Our lovely Hilke,

and Siggi of course,
my godchild.

But don't anybody
get me wrong here,

Gudrun was long before Ditte,

my wonderful singer
from Flensburg,

who gave up everything for me.

Her profession, concerts.

Ditte is the woman I love.

And not just because
she's good at baking cake.

You have been with me at my side
for 20 years.

And I thank you
for putting up with me.

Unwaveringly.

Especially now.

Ah, yes...

Thank you all for coming

to honor this old brute.
Prost everyone!

- Prost!
- Prost.

Prost!

Usually I prefer...

to let Max talk.
He's better at it.

But I think today
I shall say a few words as well.

Max, when I saw your
paintings for the first time,

I was so...

Moved.

I thought to myself,
I want him or no one.

And for you,
I gladly gave up singing.

No, don't look so modest.

You're a great painter.

One of the greatest of our time.
And you come from Gl�serup.

And further more,
you're a kind person,

but you all know him.

Max isn't one to watch
when someone is drowning.

He wouldn't do that.

And so I hope all the more

that none of us
ever let you go under,

should you someday
fall into cold water.

So you can speak to us
through your painting,

for a long time to come.

Max, I... I came up
with a special

birthday present
for you, as well.

Do you remember, Jens,

when we were young?

I think we should sing
together once more today.

You know,

our song.

- Come on, please?
- Jens.

Father, sing with Ditte.

? Five wild swans once did fly ?

? Swans so radiant
White and fair ?

? Sing, sing
what happened then? ?

? None was ever seen again ?

? Sing, sing
what happened then? ?

? None was ever seen again ?

? Five young birch trees
once did grow ?

? Slim and lean
at the forest's edge ?

? Sing, sing
what happened then? ?

? None did ever blossom
again... ?

For you, Max.
From the capital.

? None did ever blossom again ?

? Five young boys
once did go... ?

Keep singing, Father.

- ? Proudly heading off to battle... ?
- Keep singing.

? Sing, sing
what happened then? ?

? None did ever see
their home again ?

? Sing, sing
what happened then? ?

? None did ever see
their home... ?

"In compliance with the Law
of Sequestration of Creations

"of Degenerate Art, we inform
you that all pictures

of the past five years
shall be confiscated."

"As of tomorrow."

Did you know about this?

You sing with us,
and were aware of this?

Perhaps the pictures
will be returned.

The Volk will examine them,

and then send them
back to you.

- Do you really believe that?
- I'm only doing my duty!

And if they command you
to kill me,

you will do that, too.

- You can't talk to me like that.
- Let me tell you something,

in front of everyone here.

Sometimes one has to do things
that defies ones duty!

You want me
to act against my duty!

Did you hear that?

- Do you realize what this person just said?
- Jens.

You were ten
when you were playing

around on that tide gate.

And what happened when you
fell into the water?

Who was it who put his own life
at risk to save yours, Jens?

I'm sorry,
that score is settled!

I didn't give up then,

and I'm not going
to give up now.

I'm not asking
about the gulls.

As far as the gulls picture,
that's settled, too.

But as of today on, Max,
as of today...

Watch out!

Stop this!

Ditte...

The pictures
have to be wrapped!

The pictures have to be
delivered today.

These pictures are delicate!

Those are sick pictures,
Ditte.

Don't you dare.

The pictures
have to be wrapped!

Max!

- Siggi, I have to go.
- Mm-mm.

- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-mm.

Siggi!

Siggi!

I don't want you to go away!

I want you to stay here!

I don't want to be alone
with father!

This is the aforementioned
Herr Jepsen.

Siggi, tell the gentlemen
the theme of you composition.

- "The Joys of Duty."
- "The Joys of Duty."

When I asked him why he
hadn't written a single line,

he said to me, because he had
too many things to recount.

There were too many images
overlapping one another,

he could not find
the starting point.

I ordered a disciplinary
exercise.

I would describe the way
that convict Jepsen

set about his task as the
ultimate sign of conformity.

But see for yourselves.

He seems to confabulate.

I'm sure delighted
with his intent.

Siggi...

You have come to understand

that German lessons
have to be written.

This insight was our concern,
not the punishment.

You may now go back
to normal detention.

That's...

That's very generous.

But I must go on writing.

I've been amply satisfied
with your achievements so far.

We can waive the rest.

Gentlemen,
we must carry on.

The Joys of Duty...

I want to understand them,
to their full extent.

I must finish writing
the story, I'm begging you!

Whom are you telling
all this?

Myself.

Bring him water,
he stinks.

Klaas!

I'm hiding in the dunes.

You have to bring me
something to eat.

Do you hear me?

I have a hiding place.

Come on, get up.

Come on.

This is where
I have to stay?

No one comes here.

They're driving to our house.

If you tell anyone,
I'll beat you to death.

- Where have you been?
- Out for a walk.

So early?

Your beloved brother,

of whom we were all
so proud...

He shot himself in the arm.

The coward.

He would've gotten off
with prison time,

but he ran away.

Anyone who helps him
is liable to prosecution.

Listen, Siggi,
if Klaas turns up here,

you have to report it.

Immediately.

- It's important.
- He won't come here.

Where else would he go?

Have you understood?

- Did you understand me?
- Yes, father.

Yes.

Where are you going?

Well, go on.

Siggi.

Dress suitably, at least.

If I stay here,
I'm going to die.

Siggi.

He shot himself
in the arm.

But you can't
just come to me.

He has a fever.

Go home, Siggi.

And don't let on
about anything.

Were you at
the painter's?

Is he painting?

Want to tell me something?

Really not?

Siggi.

POLICE STATION RUGB�LL

Get dressed, Siggi.

There, now knock.

No, please.

Go on!

It's me, Siggi.

Siggi, what's up?

I'm sorry.

It's just an old thing.

An old thing.

Siggi, come.

Jens?

What are you doing here?

He's looking for some...
thing.

Is someone here?

Is there a robber
in the house?

- No, there is no robber!
- Be quiet!

Take a seat.

- You're making a fool of yourself.
- Sit down!

Come on, Siggi.
There are no pictures here.

This picture is confiscated.

Jens.

Jens, listen to me.

Yes.

Can we not even talk
anymore to each other?

We've known one another
long enough.

Let us stop this.

You imagine you can
challenge the law,

and me.

On the floor!

Ditte!

Let's be done with this.

Who knows where we stand
in one or two years.

Maybe even sooner.

You won't get away
with this.

Klaas.

You have to get up!

Klaas.

Father!

Klaas!

You need to help him!

Father.

My boy, don't worry,
you'll be just fine.

- Are they on their way?
- No one's on their way yet.

Then...

- it's up to you now, Jens.
- That's right.

If...

- there's something I can do...
- Let this be my problem.

- He's something of a son to me.
- I'm aware of that.

They're going to kill him.
You realize that?

You should leave now.

It's in your hands now.

Now there's a witness.

We have a score to settle,
so he won't hesitate...

What do you mean, father?

Police station Rugb�ll.

Ditte, stop that.

Then please sit down again.

- Siggi.
- They picked him up.

Shall we paint
together again?

Soon red and yellow will have
a dignified conversation,

before the sun disappears.

Will you give me your picture?

I will.

Thank you, son.

How is your oldest son doing,
Jens?

He's in hospital.

They'll stitch him
back up there.

Might I still get some tea?

With something in it?

You can even have a grog.
The water's still hot.

May I ask
what's in that folder?

Pictures.

I have a right to insist
that you open the folder.

AT THE NORTH AND THE BALTIC SEA

It's dramatic.

Almost no refractions.

I don't see anything.

Punch me if you like
I can't see anything.

The modulations
aren't fully worked out yet.

What do you think?

Although, a decorative allegory.

Take a good look.
You and your expert eye.

I won't have you
talking to me like that,

even if you are
Max Ludwig Nansen

three times over.

How do you want me
to talk to you,

Jens Ole Jepsen?

Calm down, you two.
You're friends.

Friends?

Are we friends, Jens?

Ah-ha!

Did he paint?

What do you say?

- Hinnerk, what do you say?
- I'm not saying anything.

This is hereby confiscated.

You know my duties.

A sunset like that,
is a very dangerous matter.

Siggi.

Ten.

You are not to blame,
my boy.

Will you take care of Ditte?

Are you coming back?

Goodbye, Siggi.

A nice image.

A bit too much drama.

Will you bring me
something to drink?

Please please bring me
the fish stock.

It's on the table next door.

A bit of wine now, please.

That will only make you
thirstier.

That's what Max said.

Uh-huh.

You like Max, hmm?

The thing about the sunset...

You need to tell your father
about that.

Otherwise Max will get hurt.

I have to go.

Siggi...

They'll hurt him otherwise.

I have to go, Ditte.

I... have to leave.

Hilke!

POLICE STATION RUGB�LL

Take your satchel off.

The painter has been released.

Sit down.

You'll stand.

You're at the painter's often.

You said I...

He wanted to teach you
to paint?

- Yes.
- He showed you...

how one paints pain.

You enjoyed that.

Did you enjoy that?

But then I forbade you
to paint at the painter's.

Did you stick
to my instructions?

I can't hear you.

Yes.

So, from the very instant on
that I forbade you to,

you stopped painting
with the painter?

No.

What do you imagine
the painter testified

over on the mainland?

Why they let him go?

Why your father
is being laughed at?

- Do you have an explanation for that?
- Jens...

I am asking you,
if you have an explanation

for why they let
the painter go,

and why your father
is being laughed at?!

- Jens.
- Because the picture

was crafted by
a child's hands!

- By a child's hands!
- Father!

Don't!

My own children,

neglecting their duty!

My own children!

Siggi!

Siggi!

Siggi!

Siggi.

My darling.

Ah!

Ugh...

Ditte's sick.

Most likely pneumonia.

She'd be so happy
if you came to visit her, huh?

There.
Now we're even, right?

Huh?

What did he do to you?

Ditte?

Look here, there's someone
who wants to visit you.

Max?

Would you go get
the cookies for Siggi?

When I'm not here anymore,
Siggi, then...

you'll have to keep
Max company a little bit.

Will you do that?

Where are you going?

So he doesn't get lonely.

She sewed her
burial gown herself.

She always kept it near her.

Shall we put something
to drink for Ditte

into her coffin, Uncle Max?

That's a good idea.

Father.

Do it for Ditte.

There's likely to be
an air raid.

- They'll miss you.
- Better to miss one than one too many.

FOR DITTE

Here now... Ditte Nansen,
your journey,

which began in Flensburg
comes to an end.

Don't stay in the garden
too long!

Don't go to the beach!

You'll need to look after
your voice, dear child!

We're expecting
Professor Ziegel,

your singing instructor,

who wants to be
proud of you.

Yes.

Our Ditte,
daughter from a good family,

was a pleasure to us all
in Gl�serup,

who made a mark for herself
with her songs.

With her warmth,

and her female humility.

One for Ditte...

And another one for Ditte?

Well, look who's here.

The English are outside
Gl�serup.

The order is
to secure the road.

GERMAN VOLKSSTURM WEHRMACHT

Arms are ready at Rugb�ll,

ammunition is counted.

All men who are
fit for action

are to join me!

- We will secure the road.
- We are grieving for Ditte!

This is an order
from the capital.

- We will secure the road!
- They can't give us any more orders.

I guess you don't know
what they do with deserters?

The war is over, Jens.

The war will be over...

when we have won it.

Then shoot.

- Shoot!
- Don't provoke him, Max.

Shoot!

Carry out your duty, Jens!

Go ahead and shoot.

We have to make sure
the road is secure!

Leave my home and never
show your face again.

It's getting a bit late.

This is a police station?

Very German.

Put that in there.

Your father always did his
duty, never forget that!

- Get in.
- Goodbye!

He won't back.

I'll make us breakfast, yeah?

Best wishes
for your birthday.

Welcome to reaching adulthood.

Those from my mother
always itched as well.

This is from your sister.

What would you do
if you were told,

"Siggi, if you hand in
your project tomorrow,

we'll release you"?

You'll be a free man.

I'd have to hand it in?

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is too early.

If your chums out there
took their joys of duty

as seriously as you
and I do,

the world would be
in fine shape, Siggi.

I have something up my ass.
Search me!

Get on with it!
Come on!

Hilke!
On your way into town?

You've grown a lot,

Siggi.

Hello.

Yes...

Here I am again.

I've waited so long
for this day.

Siggi.

Will you wash my back?

Please.

Wash my back.

Hilke?
Bring us his picture.

Get the picture.

Klaas, the photograph.

Do as I say.

Why do you want
the picture?

- I'm sorry?
- What do you want the picture for?

You about to find out.

Sit down.

It's time to make
a clean sweep.

We all know what you did.

We must put an end
to this matter.

And...

arrive at a verdict.

In this house from now on,

the name Klass shall
never be uttered again.

We will erase him
from out recollection.

So... office hours.

Father?

This is sick, Siggi.

Well?
What's wrong?

The painting ban
has been lifted.

You can't confiscate
things anymore.

You can't cart things
away anymore, either.

Burning pictures that's...

a thing of the past.

Do you understand, Father?

What do you say?
You have it all worked out.

You might also be aware then

that one has to stay
true to oneself.

That one has to do one's duty

even if the
circumstances change.

I mean, a conscious duty.

Feel free to let him know.

You can operate against me.

I dealt with your brother,

dealing with you,
will be nothing.

Where's the picture?

Hmm.

- Where is the picture?
- Which picture?

Didn't you destroy it?

Yes.

It was sick.

Siggi.

Siggi!
Wake up, there's a fire!

- Where?
- I don't know.

Siggi!

- Siggi.
- Siggi!

- Siggi!
- No!

- Siggi!
- No!

- Calm down, Siggi.
- Easy now.

Hilke, Siggi!

EXHIBITION BY MAX LUDWIG NANSEN

He needed a model,
that's all there was to it.

You know full well what
happened between him and me!

Yes, father, I do,
but those times are over.

He painted this picture
so anyone could recognize you!

He's making me
the local laughing stock!

I don't know what you are
getting so worked up about.

- It's like going to the doctor.
- You showed yourself to him.

You offered yourself to him.

I'm not the one who's
responsible for your misery.

Join me, Siggi.

I have something
to take care of.

Don't do anything silly.

Bye, Hilke.

- Where's the picture? Bring it here.
- Which picture?

Bring the picture
and it's all taken care of.

- You know what I mean. The Dancer.
- It she gone?

Do you even recall them
carted off my pictures?

I didn't think I'd ever
have to experience that again.

There's nothing I can do.

POLICE STATION RUGB�LL

You've grown up a lot.

My, my.

Who would ever have thought

we'd meet in this house again
of all places, right?

Let's get to the point,
Siggi.

Pictures have disappeared from
Max Ludwig Nansen's studio.

Ten in total.

Do you have anything
to do with this?

No.

I do not.

We are talking about
a felony here.

Something one
goes to prison for.

Yes?

We're going to catch you.

I did everything I could

to make a useful person
out of you.

Apparently there are people
who burn pictures.

Are they useful?

Would you care to you tell us
when you painted all of this?

You must've dug yourself in
somewhere, am I right?

Chapeau!

Ladies and gentlemen,

please help me
welcome our friend,

the famous painter,
Max Ludwig Nansen.

It brings me never ending joy
to be able to present to you

an all new collection
of unique master pieces

by which is represented
by expressionist art.

Bringing to the stage
for the first time,

in my humble gallery.

Bravo!

- Stop!
- Stop!

Stop, Siggi!
Wait!

Hey! Hey!

You need someone to help you,
my boy.

A FILM BY CHRISTIAN SCHWOCHOW

WRITTEN BY HEIDE SCHWOCHOW

BASED ON THE BESTSELLING NOVEL
"GERMAN LESSON"

BY SIEGFRIEND LENZ
PUBLISHED BY HOFFMANN UND CAMPE

PRODUCERS JUTTA LIECK-KLENKE,
DIETRICH KLUGE, ULF ISRAEL

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY
FRANK LAMM

EDITOR
JENS KL�BER

PRODUCTION DESIGN BY
TIM PANNEN

COSTUM
FRAUKE FIRL

MAKE-UP ASTRID WEBER,
HANNAH FISCHLEDER

CASTING ANJA DIHRBERG,
PATRICK DREIKAUSS

MUSIC
LORENZ DANGEL

ORIGINAL SOUND
J�RG KIDROWSKI

SOUND DESIGN RAINER HEESCH,
TOBIAS FLEIG

SOUND MIX
BRUNO TARRI�RE

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
MARC GABIZON

COMMISSIONING EDITOR
DANIEL BLUM

LINE PRODUCERS ROGER DAUTE,
REIK M�LLER

PRODUCTION MANAGER
FLORIAN HOLZAPFEL

POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
ARNE M�LLER

ARTWORK
DARIUS GHANAI

COLORIST
FELIX H�SKEN

VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR
THOMAS LOEDER