Original subtitles

Oh, good morning. Good morning.

Morning.

Halina!

Halina! I'm sorry, I'll just be a minute.

- Come here! - Sorry. I'm sorry.

- Excuse me.

Sorry.

- Sorry. - It arrived yesterday.

Thank you.

Selim? Test tubes arrived!

I'll sterilize them in the morning if that's alright.

I can come early, although, maybe not too early.

Oh, hello.

I didn't know lab assistants make their own hours.

- I don't usually-- - And please don't shout when you're here.

What if Selim was with someone?

The only thing back there with Selim is blood and the occasional urine.

Do you have to be so smart all the time?

No, Mila. I will try to be less smart.

You're impossible.

And where do you think you're going?

- I have to meet Addy. - Because our brother

can't find his own way home?

He's been in Paris a long time.

Who knows what all that French wine does to a brain?

Could you at least pick up the matzo?

- I'm already late, Mila. - Halina!

You look beautiful, by the way.

The roundness really suits you.

- Addy! - Halina!

Addy!

- You look shorter.

Oh, it's probably all the high heels in Paris.

- Hello, Madam Jagoda. - Hm.

We ran into each other on the train.

Caught me up on all the Radom gossip.

And your brother told me about life as a famous composer.

- Oh. - Famous is generous.

- Been shopping? Yes.

I've been indulging in the Spring Paris fashions.

I think they may have taken advantage of you.

Mother was carrying a similar style of dress in the fall.

If only you had thought to stop in.

But I would not have had the pleasure of Paris.

Of course.

- Enjoy your stay, Addy. - Thank you.

What is wrong with you?

What's wrong with you? You were rude.

That woman used to fawn all over mother's dresses,

and now she refuses to come into the shop.

Maybe she's a snob.

No, no. The snobs love us,

unless they're snobs who hate Jews.

I'm sorry. I'm surprised. She was nice to me.

She's only nice to you because you're on the radio.

Minor celebrity softens even the worst anti-Semite.

It's time.

Sol?

Sol?

Ah!

- Sol, where are you? In here.

Why so far?

I needed to wear clothes for dinner.

- He'll be here any minute. - So?

Nothing's where it's supposed to be.

Nechuma, we created him.

We don't have to perform for him, right?

- Now, what can I do?

- Addy! - Just me.

Ah, Jakob. Chag Sameach.

Chag Sameach.

- Is Bella coming? - Uh, yes.

- Did I not say? - You didn't.

- Ah, sorry. - It's alright.

Dorota, Bella is coming!

- Another place setting! - I thought I said she was coming.

You did. Classes good?

The law is the law.

What does that mean?

- Ah, Jakob.

Is that Addy?

Just your oldest and best.

Genek, talk to your brother.

He's shrugging about his classes.

Hey, I am not.

You don't like them? - I-I like them fine.

- What is wrong with the law? - Nothing.

It's like a game, Jakob.

Always something to be solved and won.

Well, there's the problem. I don't like games.

Ah! He doesn't like games?

Mother?! Mother, I have terrible news.

What? What is it?

- I think Addy missed his train. - No! He wouldn't!

It's Passover!

Ah! - And I would never dare miss Passover.

Addy! Oh!

You are a wicked girl.

- It was his idea! It's Passover.

All is forgiven.

- Jakob! - Addy!

- Look at you. Ooh la la.

You're disrespecting the holiday. Drink. Recline. Relax. Please.

The Tajchman's store was vandalized last week on Sabbath.

Everybody knows our shop will be empty tonight.

- Nie, it's empty every night. - Passover is an opportunity

for those looking to make a point.

Tata, listen to the music.

- Hm? - Addy is desperate for some attention.

Show him he's still the favorite.

Genek, I don't have a favorite.

So...

it is me.

It's not you.

It's me. I understand. You can't say it, but...

So, the new boarder just happens to be

an eligible handsome architect?

Is that a bad thing?

He's old and serious.

He's only 31.

In other words, ready to marry.

No one is saying you have to marry him.

But the convenience of him, he's just one room down.

Jakob, stop. You're going to get tired of my face.

Impossible.

- Such a short trip, Addy. - I know, but work is busy.

But your music is going so well.

Eh, one song on the radio does not an income make.

It's a good song.

Wasn't it you who encouraged me to get my engineering degree?

- Have a real job?

You think you are so clever using my words against me.

Enough with the jazz.

- We want to hear List. - Not List!

By the famous Parisian composer, Addy Kurc?

- Hey! I may live in Paris,

but I will always be Polish.

Sorry, I-I couldn't understand you with the French accent.

- Do you want the song or not?

Yes! - I don't need to play it.

- Play!

Play it, play it for us. - Okay.

- You've done enough.

They all disappear the minute there's washing up.

Mila... I'll help your mother.

Rest.

- Hm?

Oh.

Always fucking Chopin.

I love Chopin.

Try listening to it every day of your life.

- Mila practiced obsessively. - More than me.

I don't know why, though. All she ever cared about

was marriage and procreation.

- Hey, that's unkind. But it's true.

Mila never takes time to enjoy anything.

Maybe she doesn't take pleasure in your pleasures.

Hey!

Who do you want as your ally when you marry into this family?

Am I marrying into this family?

- I was unaware. Yes, good point.

Jakob, why haven't you proposed to Bella?

Oh! Unless there's a ring I missed.

Nope. It's been six years.

- You're not gonna do better. - Yeah, Genek knows.

- He's dated everybody. - Eh, I had no choice.

- Walk me home, Jakob...

- Yeah. - ...before they try to find us a rabbi.

Um, you're all assholes.

- Oh. - Oh, I highly recommend a shortcut,

uh, through Kosciuszko Park.

- It's [laughs] very romantic.

Am I missing something?

Tell him, tell him. - They always leave early,

and they're never home on time.

- In the park?

- Jakob? - It's always the quiet, soulful ones.

I better go, too. I promised Father I'd check the shop.

Tonight? He's really that worried?

Oh, you know him. Everyone's grown up.

- He needs a new preoccupation. - Genek, [grunts] tell me...

are things getting worse?

A little, in the last few months.

The Friedmans are leaving for Palestine.

- Really? - Oh, come on.

They just don't like the competition.

There's 40 bakeries in town and business is down.

But business is down for most Jews.

It'll pass. Radom is not Germany.

Don't worry so much, okay?

Who knows? Maybe I'll come give you some competition in Paris.

- Come. I would like to see that.

Goodnight.

Eh, he always says he'll come to Paris,

and he never comes.

There's a girl.

- There's always a girl.

This is a serious one.

The only thing I could get out of him

was that they met on a chairlift skiing in Zakopane.

- Must've been some ride. - Mm-hmm.

I'd like to come to Paris.

Maybe I'll stow away on your train tomorrow.

But what do you want to do in Paris? D-Do you have a plan?

You are doomed as an artist if you insist on being so practical.

Easy to say before you have to pay for food and rent.

Hm?

- I have plans. - Such as?

Hm?

- That's unfair. - How?!

You take for granted how lucky it is to be sure.

Sure about what you love,

sure about what you want to do with your life.

If I wait to be sure...

I will get stuck.

Don't worry about it, Addy.

No, let me think, look around for some work.

I will figure it out.

Halina...

to future adventures.

I will be waiting,

whenever you decide to make the trip.

Come on.

- It's always in the park? - Always in the park.

I was looking for a break from the smoke.

- Sorry. - It's fine.

The hoarser I get, the more Montmartre takes me seriously.

- You have a beautiful voice.

I make a point to come when you sing.

Is that why you're leaving so soon?

I'm afraid I'm not very good company tonight.

Bad news? From your girlfriend?

My mother.

I'm sorry.

She's, um, disinvited me from Passover.

That stings.

She doesn't think it's safe to travel across German borders.

But if you knew my mother,

to tell me to skip Passover, eh...

You want my advice?

Always listen to your mother.

"Dear Mother... I am coming home.

"Please do not worry.

"I will be there for Passover, as always.

"Perhaps longer, if you could stand to have me.

"My new composition is coming along.

"I cannot wait to play it for you.

"See you soon.

All my love... Addy."

What can I get you?

Just a coffee.

- Sure. - Thank you.

Two coffees, please.

I'm so sorry... I was held up.

Held up or unwilling to be interrupted?

I suppose there is a distinction.

I had an overwhelming need to finish.

I am not sure who for.

Buildings are being boarded up, not built.

- Adam, it's...

it's flawless.

I try to design "free of untruths".

It's the lack of resistance. The Czechs should be ashamed.

They manufacture the weapons,

but they don't know how to use 'em, apparently.

The Führer isn't just targeting German-speaking territories anymore.

- We could be next. - Ah, impossible.

He might try, but he will be stopped.

- I'm certain of this.

A word, Genek?

Of course.

Oh, Szkop!

If you're tiptoeing for my sake, you can stop before you kill yourself.

I thought you might be asleep.

- Rilke had other ideas. - Ah, Rilke.

So, have you lost all of our money at the table,

or did they kick you out?

Well, I am...

I was wondering if, um...

and then, uh...

Mm.

Mm.

Love... [sighs] we should be careful.

- I can be careful.

- No, no, no. - Yes.

No, we, we would be fools to let it happen now.

Right?

The war.

The war, the war, the war.

I'm tired of it already and it hasn't even begun.

- Genek? - I'm sorry.

Tell me.

Tell me.

Mr. Nowak was kind enough to offer me a demotion today.

- What? - Hm.

Assistant.

I knew it was happening to others. I was a fool for thinking I'd be spared.

You're not a fool.

I quit.

You were promised a lawyer for a husband.

I'm sorry, my love.

I was promised you for a husband.

Here's a thought.

What if there is no war?

We have deprived ourselves for nothing...

and Hitler, the little prick, will have won.

You're right. It would be tragic.

Fuck the war.

They need soldiers in Poland.

The French Army might as well, if your desire is to fight.

I am Polish.

You are a Jew.

I have tried everything. I just want to get home.

- Mr. Kurc, keep trying-- - I'm an electrical engineer.

I have useful expertise.

I can f-fix anything. R-Radios, equipment.

- Is there a worker's exemption? - There is not.

Travel for you is a death sentence.

Perhaps tomorrow.

- I'm, I'm so sorry. - Babies cry.

Some babies more than others.

Uh-- Just, uh, Felicia doesn't believe in naps.

- That's not true.

Please, keep going.

- Come on.

Come on, my love. It's alright.

- Is she wet? - No, she's not wet.

She's not wet. She's not wet.

She's not hungry. I don't know what's wrong.

Here, here. Yes.

Ohh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Yes.

Selim thinks everything she does is a wonder.

And you?

Mm, I th-- I think she's very cute...

- Yeah. - ...and possibly hates her mother.

She doesn't hate you.

- I'm sorry.

Your father and I have been thinking.

- We talked to Dorota. - What?

Hear me out. - You all think I'm so terrible at this.

- Ugh, my darling.

I understand.

I do.

Dorota adores babies. She raised five of her own.

She wants to help. Cook a bit, let you get some rest.

- Yes.

Mila, I promise there is joy in being a mother.

Let us help you find it.

- Let us help you find it.

Yeah.

Hm?

I'm so tired of looking for dark corners of Radom

when we share a bedroom wall!

Yes, mm, and on the other side, I share a wall with your parents.

Must you remind me of my parents right now?

Sorry.

What?

Nothing.

Hm... are you worried...

- about Addy?

God, I think everyone worries about Addy too much.

Addy knows how to take care of himself.

I'm sure that he's in Paris, and Paris is a free city.

We are free.

For now.

My family has the means.

We, we could leave and ride things out somewhere else.

Would your parents... consider?

My parents kept Genek, Addy, and Mila

alive on scraps in a basement during the Great War.

If they did not leave then, how do you

convince someone things are bad

when they've already experienced the worst?

We could go.

What? What a clever way to get me to marry you.

I don't believe I asked you that.

War is not a good reason to marry.

Who said anything about marriage? Or war, for that matter.

Wars eventually end, and then I'll be left with a husband.

As awful as that.

I won't be trapped.

That's how you see me?

Yes.

- A very handsome trap.

Jakob.

- My parents. I had to.

I'm leaving.

We're being sent east to Lvov to fight.

What? Now? - Yes.

Tonight.

We have to report to the train station by midnight.

The Germans are coming.

- Fighting, Jakob? - I know,

but they called up the reserves.

Genek's going... and Selim.

It's you... and me...

always.

Always.

If anything happens...

please... you must come find me in Lvov.

I will.

They're asking you to perform a... pointless act of patriotism.

My hope is that it won't be pointless.

Look at the city, Adam.

The Germans are already at our doorstep.

What do you want me to do?

Don't go.

- And do not let your feet get cold. - Hm.

I was always very dismissive of my mother,

but she was right.

Cold feet will make the death of even the strongest man.

- And you're not even that strong.

- Halina-- - All the men go to Lvov and, and what?

We're defenseless?

I don't have a choice.

I think there is a choice.

That's very easy to say when no one is asking you a question.

- I'll be home before the snow falls.

And I'll take you back to our chairlift in Zakopane...

and you can seduce me all over again.

You be good for Mama.

You're not always the easiest on her.

So... sleep sometimes, okay?

And when you will sleep,

I'll come and visit your dreams, every night.

I promise.

I promise.

Selim!

What? Did I make such a terrible breakfast?

I don't have much appetite.

Yes... but you're going to be at the shop all day.

We are not going in to the shop today.

Why not?

We want to stay here, in case.

In case what? Triumphant news from Lvov?

They're not even there yet.

Maybe we want a day at home.

Yes, I know, you want to worry, and you want to mope,

and you want to worry some more.

- Oh, my God, you give me a headache. - Then eat something.

I told you we should've stopped at four.

- This one is so bossy. - Hush, hush, hush! Quiet.

Dorota?

Dorota?

Felicia?

Mama's here.

Mila, it's me!

Please come home. We have room.

We can all help with Felicia. We should be together.

- Okay, okay.

Mr. Addy Kurc?

Good evening. This is the BBC.

Poland has fallen. I repeat, Poland has fallen.

Following weeks of vicious fighting,

Hitler and Stalin, in a pact of non-aggression,

have divided the country in two.

The German Army now occupies Poland's western regions.

The Red Army, the east.

The Bug River will serve as the line of demarcation.

Tata, what can I grab? What else?

Are you leaving this one?

- Uh, not on top. Just that. - Just this one?

- This one. Just this one?

It's-- It's too heavy

Nechuma? Here. - Huh?

"New administration."

Is that what they call stealing someone's business?

Leave them the cheap shit.

- Here, let me help you. - Hm, thank you.

- Hello to you, darling girl.

I'll walk you home.

- No, it's out of your way. - That's fine.

- We're at my parents' now. - Mila... it's a selfish act.

I just need you to take these awful rations off my hands.

- Herta. - I don't need them.

What good is a newlywed without a husband?

You're going to Lvov?

Well, I don't want Genek to have all the fun with the Soviets.

But how will you do it?

I'll take the train.

They'll stop you.

There are some advantages to growing up in a German-speaking town.

Yes, I know it doesn't make me popular with your parents,

but at least the Wehrmacht will stay out of my fucking hair.

- My parents love you.

Not yet...

but they will grow to love me.

Okay.

Are you sure you can mask this?

- Of course, I can mask it. - You're not the most precise.

- You wanna do it yourself? - Not particularly.

I want to sew some items into our clothes,

so we all have a little something on hand hidden at our work assignments.

- You think we need that? - It can't hurt to be prepared.

Should I bring something for the foreman tomorrow?

Make him sympathetic to Felicia?

And what if the Wehrmacht don't let her in?

- I'll hide her under my coat. - And if she makes a sound?

I'll make sure she's calm.

I think we should take turns staying home with her.

Ugh, Sol, we discussed this!

- No. Everyone must work. - They won't notice a day here and there.

- They notice everything. - It's punishable by death, Papa.

Yes, but it's also illegal for her to bring her to the factory.

I don't have a choice.

Okay. I'll stay home with her

while you all get settled in your new jobs.

And when you don't report to the factory? Huh?

When you don't report to the factory,

what do we tell them when you're not there?

What?

People should leave their children at home to fend for themselves?

- She's a baby. That's barbaric.

I think that's the point.

Okay.

Papa's coat, huh? Nice and roomy.

It'll keep us safe tomorrow.

Szkop.

Please, my children are starving.

Dieb!

Halina? - Hi.

Oh, dear.

What happened?

I'm a farmhand.

What could be more natural?

Maybe a different wardrobe choice tomorrow?

Mm?

Thank you.

Mm.

Um, how did Felicia do?

Patient.

- Oh, thank you. - And calm.

She played in a basket of fabric at my feet, slept there.

Somehow, she seems to understand.

Halina. Just in time for soup.

With bread it counts as an actual meal. Hm.

- Soup? Potato soup.

- How? - You want the recipe?

We are down to scraps from our rations. How?

Oh, I pocketed a few potato peels at the cafeteria.

Maybe peeled them a little thick.

- Mm, maybe.

You can't do that.

They were going to the garbage.

No, how could you be so stupid?!

- Halina! - You are nothing to them.

They will kill you for much less.

Don't be so dramatic.

- I'm not. - We need food.

We need more than food!

- Calm down. It's alright. - It's not alright! It's not alright!

We can--

- We should not be here! - But we are.

People left. We could have left.

No, this is our home.

And we will wait...

and it will pass, and we will ignore the signs,

and we will follow the rules,

and we will jump if they tell us to jump off the bridge,

and, and if we say, "No, I don't want to jump.

That's crazy! Why would I jump?"

We realize that it's too late

because they're not giving us a choice anymore

because they have a fucking gun pointed

- at our heads! - That's enough!

Okay, okay.

Mm. Oh.

- Are you happy? I'm sorry! I'm sorry.

I have news from Lvov.

Missing?

Jakob says he's been missing since the night Lvov fell to the Soviets.

- And the others? They're okay.

Herta made it safely. They've all been assigned a-apartments.

- There's work. Hm. - Work?

Life is relatively calm.

Calm?

I only mean compared to here.

If the fighting is over in Lvov, I'm sure Selim was needed elsewhere.

As a doctor, he must've been reassigned.

He's not a doctor. He's a researcher.

In the context of war, it's all useful.

Come to bed, my love.

Um... you can sleep in Halina's room tonight.

There's no need. My parents will worry.

You want your parents to worry tonight...

or mourn a daughter that never returns?

It's not safe to walk the city after curfew.

Okay.

I'm going to Lvov.

I need to be with Jakob.

- How will you do it? - I don't know.

I'm not sure the trains are safe anymore.

By wagon, perhaps?

There will be checkpoints.

- Do ya think? - You'll need some money to get through...

some provisions.

Will you come with me?

- Bella. - Life sounds better in Lvov.

The Russians are no saints, but they're not the Wehrmacht.

The men are working. They're paid.

We could get jobs, too.

Save money.

Get our families out of Radom.

Mila was so overwhelmed when Felicia was born...

always on the verge of breaking...

but... now...

Selim missing,

she's... she's just remarkable.

Halina...

it's getting worse.

I know.

There will only be so many chances to leave.

Okay.

I cannot believe we were celebrating Passover.

Worried about such little things.

Now, none of us know

what the future holds.

All of Europe is a war zone.

I thought I knew something about human beings,

but I knew nothing.

This is your new home.

You will never see Poland again.

Two of my brothers are missing,

and my parents are starving in a ghetto.

We cannot spend our lives running.

Building a gun is not the only way to fight.

If you get caught, it jeopardizes all of us.

I'm aware of the stakes.

Our children are fighting to keep us alive.

- Is this smart? - It could be.

If I rescue them.

Together from now on, alright?

No matter what.

We have come too far to give up hope.

Our families are out there.