Original subtitles

Previously, on We Were the Lucky Ones...

I have news from Lvov.

Herta made it safely.

They've all been assigned, uh, apartments, there's work.

Life is relatively calm.

Bella?

Together, from now on. I want to marry you.

Has something changed?

Nothing has changed for me.

I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

No, you've, you've done nothing wrong.

I need to do something. I want to do what you're doing.

Whatever it is that you are involved in, I-I want to be part of it.

We, we help in small ways.

- Ambassador Dantas! - Monsieur.

Am-Ambassador, please.

My name is Addy Kurc. I'm an electrical engineer.

If you're interested in applying for a visa,

you should visit the embassy.

I have. I've visited five times.

There is a ship leaving soon for Rio, the Alsina.

You should make sure you're on it.

- What is this?!

You are Genek Kurc.

You have been deemed an enemy of the state.

Genek Kurc, you must come with us now.

Wait!

- No, Herta, go back inside! - Genek...

there are four NKVD upstairs.

They're turning our apartment upside down.

Do you really think I'm safer with them?

He's an enemy... then I'm a fucking enemy.

Arrest me, too.

Bravo... You play beautifully.

Do you know any Vaudeville?

I think I might.

- All this over a question on a form. Let it go, it's done.

I would've made the same choice.

You should've stayed home.

And been separated from you?

No.

- Hey.

- You must. - No.

- No? - No.

- For the baby. - I can't.

I need air.

Join me, Herta.

- Any cramps today?

No, but my body's numb.

Has the baby kicked recently?

Yes, yes, yes, last night.

Not a kick, more like a, like a turn.

Like a [chuckles] somersault.

Okay.

For your little gymnast.

[singing] ♪ If you're blue, and you don't know where to go to ♪

♪ Why don't you go where Harlem sits ♪

- ♪ Putting on the Ritz! ♪

♪ Spangled gowns upon a bevy of high browns ♪

♪ From down the levee, all misfits ♪

♪ Putting on the Ritz! ♪

One more time!

♪ Ya, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta ♪

♪ Ya, ta, ta, ta ♪

♪ Putting on the Ritz! ♪

♪ Putting on the Ritz! ♪

♪ Putting on the Ritz! ♪

Thank you! Monsieur Fabian and Madame!

And now, a new performer to our nightly cabaret.

From the coastal hills of Catalonia, please welcome,

Sebastian Padilla!

Thank you, thank you.

Another brilliant show, Mr. Addy.

Maybe some Cole Porter for the end of the night.

I was thinking the same thing, Captain.

Addy Kurc. Welcome to the show.

I haven't seen you here before, unless I'm mistaken.

You are not. I'm not usually one for cabaret,

but we had to come see what all the fuss was about.

And has it lived up to the hype?

We have not left yet.

- I'll take it as a triumph.

I am Madame Lowbeer, and this is my daughter, Elisabeth.

Pleasure to meet you both. Lowbeer, is that a Swedish name?

Swedish? No, we come from Czechoslovakia, or whatever is left of it. Prague.

Ah, charming city.

It strains to be, yes.

- And where do you come from? - Poland.

A Pole. I wouldn't have guessed.

You carry yourself like a Frenchman.

People on the ship call you the Master of Ceremonies.

I wear it as a badge of honor.

And why wouldn't you? It's very flattering.

I wondered if you originated it yourself.

You think I'm the kind of man who makes up

his own nickname and spreads it around?

I don't know what kind of man you are.

We met two minutes ago. You're certainly confident.

- I hope not arrogant. Maybe, maybe.

It would be earned, at least.

The show is a hit.

Thank you, but I'm just the wrangler.

The talent aboard this ship deserves most of the credit.

- Stop it, I despise modesty. - I said "most".

Sebastian Padilla, everyone!

How about some Cole Porter, huh?

The Master of Ceremonies is also a composer?

- Elisabeth. - Call me Eliska.

Eliska. What brings you back?

My mother fell asleep, so I thought I'd come see

if the show was still happening.

Sadly, everyone went to bed.

And yet you're still here. Is this your room as well?

Do you sleep on top of the piano?

I wish.

I hold a second-class ticket, so my cabin isn't quite so spacious.

But you come and go from this lounge as you please?

I think the captain appreciates my contributions to morale.

Hm, as he should.

Felt good tonight.

- What? - Forgetting...

even for a couple hours.

My mother would never admit it, but I know it helped her, too.

I could see the light return to her eyes.

So, are you a beneficiary of Ambassador Dantas's generosity?

Yes.

You?

A three-month visa burning a hole in my pocket.

- Hm. - From what I've heard,

he's helped many onboard.

I know, that's annoying.

I thought my mother and I were special.

So, are you going to play that for me or what?

Oh, no. No, no, no. It's not finished.

Bashful Addy, what's it about?

It's a lullaby... for my two-year-old niece, Felicia.

Aw... that's sweet.

Are you close, you and your niece?

We've never met.

You want music?

Come on.

- Let's go. - Let's go.

Bring this.

Mm, is that land?

We can't be in Brazil already.

No... no.

The boat, it's traveling east.

We're going in the wrong direction.

Halina...

I need those ABO vials from Group B.

They're just ready, Doctor.

Halina. - Sorry for the unscheduled visit,

but I come bearing gifts.

Rahel.

- I didn't mean to interrupt, I-- - It's fine, I was just on my way.

Rahel is doing a run through German territory.

IDs, medicine. Ten towns in two months.

Will you go through Radom?

I hear they're starting to seal off the ghetto.

We'll find a way. We always do.

I'm curious about these gifts.

Yes.

- Lactic acid? - I know it's hard to come by.

A forger's treasure.

These will get me two dozen IDs at least.

And an even rarer treasure.

Where did you get it?

The hospital cafeteria.

That is an extremely public space. You could have easily been spotted.

- Eggs can be procured elsewhere. - Can they?

You always complain the demand outweighs the supply

and you cannot make an ID without one.

Halina... working for Dr. Levenhed is a valuable position for us.

I'm aware of that, and he's very appreciative of my work.

Well, good. Keep it that way.

Of course.

I'm off.

We will see you soon.

Unless a Nazi bullet finds me first.

- Rahel.

My God, it's hard to get you to laugh, huh?

Find the humor, friend.

Goodbye.

Thanks for the support.

I agree with her.

Would you have me lie to protect your pride?

I have been working for the Underground for nearly a year,

yet I'm still treated like a child being indulged and tolerated.

- I risk my life every day. - Yes, I know you do.

Jakob told me about your visits to NKVD headquarters.

- He what? - He's worried, as he should be.

Using the fake IDs I made you to tour the prison.

Are you insane?

Genek has been gone six weeks.

No information, no idea if my brother is alive or dead,

and, and Herta pregnant? It-It's maddening.

But if you get caught, it jeopardizes all of us.

I'm aware of the stakes, Adam.

Welcome.

You will work in the fields as we see fit,

and in exchange, we will provide you with living quarters

and three rations a day.

Follow the rules, you will eat.

Break the rules and you will not.

It is quite simple.

The nearest town is 10 kilometers from here.

The villagers have been notified of your arrival,

and they are not sympathetic.

So, if I were you, I would not try to leave.

We will be notified if you do.

This... is your new home.

You will never see Poland again.

Come!

We'll show you to your accommodations!

It never gets easier, does it?

Which part?

Trudging back to our floating prison.

Even after all these months,

it still feels like impending doom every time.

At least we're allowed to get off.

Not everyone is so lucky.

Addy, must we do this every time?

Do what?

This self-flagellation you indulge in.

You have written permission from the captain to leave the boat.

You're doing nothing wrong.

Besides, without you, I'd be forced to wander Dakar alone

since my mother is basically a shut-in.

- Would you have that? - Of course not.

Addy.

Addy!

- Addy?! Addy!

Where, where, where is this Addy?

I don't see an Addy.

Have you grown six inches since yesterday?

One for you, one for you.

Some of us are talkin' about escaping the boat,

- chancing it in Dakar. - That's insanity.

No. No, Addy, it's not insanity. It's not insanity.

Insanity's being detained in harbor for months on end

with no hope, no food,

watching our visas expire and turn to dust.

Where will you go?

What is the plan after you get off the boat?

Nowhere is safe.

The war is everywhere.

Yeah, I know, but at least we are taking our fate into our own hands.

You will get yourself killed.

This boat is our salvation, not a prison.

Easy to say when you are allowed to leave it.

Not all of us have a first-class girlfriend

to wander the Dakar market with.

It's okay.

Borys!

It's black.

- Can you move it? - No, only like this.

What is this laziness?

Get back to work!

It's too late.

The tissue's dead.

Look, gangrene is setting in.

It needs to come off.

Genek...

your pocketknife.

Genek... must you be the one to do this?

Who else? Borys?

Poor Borys.

He doesn't look good.

You think he can deliver the baby now?

Let's hope.

For his sake.

And ours.

A fingerless pharmacist...

and that's the best we can hope for.

Maybe Julia can deliver the baby.

She's assisted Borys many times.

And how many of those babies survived the night?

And the mothers? Half, if that?

- You blame Julia for those shit odds? - No, of course not.

You know, she knows what it is to lose a child.

- The eternal suffering. - I know, but she's a seamstress,

Herta, not a doctor.

Hm? I'm not leaving your fate and the baby's up to a 50-50 chance.

Let's go to sleep.

There's nothing to be done tonight.

And once you survive the birth,

you'll be forced out into the fields 12 hours later.

Hm? If you want to eat, and if you don't eat,

your milk won't come in.

It's medieval, not to mention illegal.

What is legal? We were thrown into a cattle car against our will.

I know. Based on a choice I made, that violated Soviet law,

an off-the-books law, but a rule nonetheless,

you know, that carries weight with these people.

It's how these imbeciles think.

They don't think, they don't care.

No, you're entitled to 35 days off with rations.

- Yes. - No, that is the law on the Soviet books,

and it's time for someone to remind them of that fact.

Remind who?

Romanov, the guards.

No.

It's too risky, I forbid it.

- Oh, you forbid it? - Yes, I'm huge,

- and I'll sit on you if you defy me.

Food is the priority.

I will go to work the next day,

and we will all eat.

There.

A decision.

♪ It seems we stood and talked ♪

♪ Like this before ♪

♪ We looked at each other in the same way then ♪

♪ But I can't remember where ♪

♪ Or when ♪

Good evening, sir. I know you have a great deal

on your mind at the moment, but--

We are in the same limbo with the visas, Addy.

Sending wires, doing what we can to extend them.

This isn't about the visas. H-Have you visited steerage lately?

- Conditions have deteriorated. - I know.

Maybe a boost to morale would do wonders. A day off the boat.

I cannot procure enough passes for everyone.

- It would be chaos. - A chance to stretch their legs.

It is of no matter anyway. The ship leaves Dakar tonight.

Tonight, you mean on to Rio?

The ship... needs repairs.

We must travel north to Casablanca before continuing on to Brazil.

- But that's a week in the wrong direction. - Yes, I know.

Dakar is a bustling port in its own right.

- Can we not seek help here? - Mr. Kurc... must I remind you

that your presence in this lounge is already a concession?

Speaking of concessions, why is it you keep agreeing to move us

from one Vichy-occupied city to another?

Maybe next time consider a place that doesn't hate Jews.

♪ ...we've met ♪

♪ Before ♪

♪ And laughed before ♪

♪ And loved... ♪

- Addy. - What?

- Ah! - For you.

I did the embroidery myself.

We're not going to Rio, are we?

What do you think awaits us in Casablanca?

Another detention?

I don't know...

but whatever it is...

we'll face it together.

I'd like to request an audience with Romanov.

Would you?

Yes.

We toil at his behest, and under Soviet law,

it is... within a worker's rights to speak to his supervisor.

And what is it you wish to speak to him about?

The ILO created a standard to provide time off to expectant mothers.

The Soviet government recently adopted a provision in accordance

with this international standard.

This camp is in violation of this provision.

I merely wish to bring this to his attention.

Report to the field when you're done.

Go... before I change my mind.

Out with it, I don't have all day. What do you need?

[quietly] Herta... are you okay?

- Yeah. - Are you sure?

And I am merely here to issue a polite reminder

that we should implement this law.

You are a Pole and a Jew.

Why do you think the laws apply to you?

We are on Soviet soil.

We all must operate under the law of your sovereign nation,

that has been made clear to us since our arrival,

and the camp is well run and fair.

So, I take it that you're a man who values

order and the rule of law.

Denied.

Excuse me?

Your request has been denied.

Now go. Razdavay karty.

Please, may I ask the reason for your denial?

You presented no evidence of your wife's pregnancy.

Evidence.

You could be faking it to avoid work and horde food.

It is a known tactic.

I understand. How may I provide proof of her condition?

- A doctor's note. - Of course, that's fair.

Is there a doctor I can speak to?

- He is busy. - He's busy.

You know, Borys, the pharmacist, he passed away this morning,

and, previously, we were denied a doctor for, uh, births

and medical situations due to Borys's position in the medical field.

So, given this precedent, I implore you,

- please provide the barr-- - Pharmacist is not a doctor.

That is foolishness.

- Contractions? - That's not all.

Oh, okay, uh... We have to go back to the barracks.

Where is Genek?

Ahh, there you are.

You're late.

- What is happening? - I am citing you for missing work.

Missing? But, but you granted me permission.

I do not recall that.

Report to headquarters to receive your punishment.

Shall I also cite you for defying a direct order?

30% reduction in rations for one week.

- Now go. - Commandant, please.

That is the consequence for missing work.

- I had permission. - Then show me.

Hand over written evidence of such permission.

I have none.

Then the punishment stands.

- On the bed!

Ow.

Please... please reconsider.

I cannot return to my wife with less food than I started the day with.

I-I beg of you.

We... we have different positions in this place,

but... we are both men.

We are not both men.

I am the Commandant... and you're a prisoner.

And the law... is the law.

Good.

Yeah, yeah, yeah! Push, push, push! Push!

Push!

The law is the law?

Is-Is, is that a joke?

Before, I was denied fair treatment under the law

because I'm a Pole and a Jew,

but now the same laws, they apply to my actions.

Bite your tongue.

- You're speaking to a decorated officer. Decorated?

By whom? For what?!

You play at war, at power, dressed in your uniforms,

showing off your decorations like children in a playground

bragging about a new toy,

and then you sit in this room, in the middle of Siberia,

playing your cards...

...shuffling and dealing, winning and losing,

over and over again...

Herta!

...while the rest of us lie in the field...

Wake up!

- ...freezing and starving... Herta.

...and suffering and dying.

Herta, stay with us.

What is happening?!

How does this make sense?!

How does any of this make any fucking sense?

Doctor, no, no, no, no, no!

Those are, those are the samples from Moscow.

These have already been analyzed.

A potentially disastrous mistake.

- That has been averted. - Thanks to you.

Your focus is admirable.

My eyes can barely stay open this late.

Then it's time to go home and sleep.

This blood will still be bloody in the morning.

You remind me of my youngest, Ida.

She's around your age.

She has your wit and the ways with the words.

- If not your alertness.

- Where is Ida now? - Back in St. Petersburg,

- caring for her two children. - Two children at my age?!

I can barely care for a house plant.

My wife is with her, helping her.

You must miss her, your wife.

I feel her absence... every evening...

returning to an empty home.

I lost a brother recently,

- the eldest in my family. - I'm sorry, Halina.

How did he pass?

We don't know what happened to him.

He and his wife were here one day and then... gone the next.

I wonder if you could help me find out what happened to him?

You, you have status and you know people in the NKVD.

I just want to know where he is and, and if he's...

if he's okay.

- What is his crime? - His crime?

You implied he was taken by the NKVD.

- For no reason. He committed no crime. - That is not possible.

There must have been a transgression if he was deemed

an enemy of the state.

Perhaps, if you share it with me,

I will have better luck finding out the nature of his punishment.

I don't know his crime.

We didn't discuss such things.

Perhaps, it's time to go home, it's late.

This is your son.

Hey.

We are docking, you must pack now.

Wh-What do you mean, "pack"? What is this?

70% of what you paid for your ticket. Everyone gets reimbursed.

No, no, no, no, no, no. I don't want to get reimbursed.

I paid for passage to Brazil.

Captain's orders, everyone's getting off, so start packing.

I thought we were going to Casablanca for repairs.

Why are-- why are we disembarking?

Addy!

Addy!

- Eliska! - Addy!

Eliska!

Eliska!

'Scuse me, sorry, I need to get to those passengers over there.

They will go to Casablanca,

but they can pay for their own accommodations.

As can I, as can I.

Insufficient.

Please, I am resourceful.

- I can work on the--

Get going.

Aller.

Aller.

Come on.

- Come on. - What is it?

What's wrong?

His eyes, they won't open.

- It's too cold here.

They're frozen shut.

Come on, my love.

- Shh. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Open your eyes.

Oh. Yes.

Oh.

Welcome to your second day, my little one.

- Genek, something for my arm. - Of course.

Here.

- Okay. - Here.

Under there.

Yes.

Halina.

Yes, Doctor?

You need to go with these men.

Where are they taking me?

There's no time for questions.

Go.