Original subtitles

[BIRDS CAW]

So, Mr Heller, I think it's fair to say that

it's time to get your affairs in order.

Oh!

Oh, I see.

Huh! I didn't...

I see. Well...

Alright then.

Thank you. You'll let me know?

Absolutely.

Talk to me. Just me, not my wife.

Of course.

Alright.

Thank you.

♪ I sink ♪

♪ To my knees ♪

♪ I cling ♪

♪ And I bleed ♪

Yeah. Yeah.

♪ But cry don't you dare ♪

Work will set you free.

♪ Life isn't fair ♪

[HE WHISTLES] Right.

Uh-huh? Here, for you, and I got one for you too.

Thank you. - And don't forget to brush your teeth.

I will. - That's Egyptian cotton.

Really? - It's beautiful, isn't it?

It is. - Yes.

Fifty percent off everything.

You're not gonna get a deal like that anywhere.

I need to steal him for a moment.

You do? - Oh, don't forget to bring him back.

Alright. Well, you make a decision. I can get either one.

Would you just stop for a sec?

Uh, fine, fine, fine.

OK.

Dad, what did the doctor say?

Nothing. Just what I thought.

What about the stomach pains?

Pulled muscle. It's OK.

It's going to be OK.

Who wants a chocolate? Who's ready?

Alright, here you go. Oh, there's one for you.

And there's one for you.

And there's one for you as well.

Hi-ho! Get your chocolate.

Get it. Get it. Get it.

Hey, Herbert.

Hello. How are you? - Looks like the sale's going great.

Remember, city council said merchants had to provide extra parking?

Anywho, it'd be great if you could set up some parking around the corner.

I'm sorry...

You'll have to excuse me. I'm sorry.

[HE WHEEZES]

[BODY THUDS]

So far, your record for surviving the worst day of your life is 100%.

Just in case you needed it.

You need it too?

Here... Let me give you another one.

Here you go.

So a little bird told me it was somebody's birthday today.

[SHE PLAYS "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" ON PIANO]

It's a serious, serious surgery.

You survived.

Abbey...

You're gonna be here for a while, you know?

[PHONE RINGS]

Hey, Ruth. This is David, Holocaust Foundation.

David.

Listen, there's this gentleman, Herbert Heller.

He was at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Sorry, I don't do that anymore.

Come on, Ruth.

You know how to do this. Just follow the protocol.

[SHE CHUCKLES]

I was never very big on protocols.

The thing is, Ruth, I don't know where else to turn.

You know what?

I have an idea.

Do you have another shirt?

Put it on.

Wear a different colour next time.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Hey.

Hello, Mr Heller.

Hello. - Hello.

I'm Ruth. - Hello, Ruth.

Yes.

Come in.

This is, uh...

this is Luke, our cameraman. - Hello.

And this is Abbey, our intern. - Hello.

Um...

So, ah, Mr Heller, would you like to have your fam--

Please. Uh... Herbert.

Alright? - OK. Herbert.

Would you like your family here for any of this?

No, no.

They don't know anything about any of this business, so no.

They're not aware that you were at Auschwitz?

Never any desire to tell them?

Uh, OK, so how this works is we meet here each day.

You'll ask questions?

Mm-hm.

What sort of questions?

I might start by saying...

tell me about your father.

Which, maybe you can tell me about your father.

What a beautiful dogwood tree.

Hm? - Your dogwood tree, it's in bloom.

It's beautiful.

Oh! Look at that.

So, Herbert? - Yes.

Um... your father was an engineer?

He was.

And you have photos?

You asked me to bring some photographs. - Mm-hm.

I did. These are, uh... - Thank you.

Well, they're family photographs.

And I'd like to... have them back.

Of course.

This is where I'll sit? - That's where you will sit.

You see this, it's nicely set up here. - Alright. Oh, my.

This is the interview, huh?

This is the interview. - Are you...

are you the Heller from... from Heller's?

I am. - Like the store?

That's right. You, you know the store?

Yeah. Um...

I've got a photo.

She's a Heller's kid. - Yes.

Ha! [HE CHUCKLES]

One of our best-selling models, that one.

[HE CHUCKLES] Yes.

A good stroller.

You know, we don't have to just jump into this right away.

Why don't we have a little bite to eat first?

Ah. - What can I get you?

No. I'm not hungry. Thank you.

No? I'll get you something, just in case.

And you too, hm?

Come.

[FOOTSTEPS ECHO]

Uh, Abbey, keep an eye on the equipment.

Sorry. Just, uh, getting the camera.

I feel like I know your face.

Maybe from the store, from Heller's?

Would have been a while ago.

What happened there?

I don't know. Um, it was just like a medical...

02 sat. 02 sat's 100%. - You're OK, Abbey. Abbey, you're OK.

Too nosy.

Whatever. - I'm sorry.

Sorry.

I've got one myself.

I tell my daughters I got burned on the water heater.

But you didn't.

No.

So, how did it happen then?

Long story.

We've got time.

Huh, time...

That's why I'm doing this.

What?

Don't know that I do have time.

Anyway...

Not so sure.

Oh, go ahead.

I want to see what happens.

Maybe if you tell me about your scar

I could tell you about mine.

Ah.

We make a deal, huh?

Do you know the name Heydrich?

No.

But you've heard of Hitler, I think, yes?

Yeah. Yeah, yes. - So...

Heydrich.

Reinhard Heydrich.

He was Hitler's third in command.

It was Heydrich who came up with the plan.

What plan?

The plan to kill all the Jews.

Heydrich came to my hometown.

To Prague.

Before Heydrich

my father gave us a magical childhood.

He was a respected engineer.

This is stunning. What a beautiful dress.

Thank you.

This is why they act as if the world outside doesn't exist

as though nothing bad can happen.

They just drink more champagne and keep listening to Mahler.

You don't like Mahler?

That's not the point.

The point is they're just pretending things are safe.

Already, the newspapers are publishing in German instead of Czech.

My brother's family left for Canada last month.

So what are you suggesting, my friend?

What I'm saying, Karel, is it might be time for us to leave too.

And what about Papa?

Papa actually believes it.

Right now, he's saying it's OK

and it will be OK. - Even Schoenberg left.

So you actually believe they would have all the 60,000 Jews leave Prague?

I mean, don't be ridiculous.

They can't afford to lose their biggest businessmen

or their top engineers.

Everything will return to normal soon.

But it's not true. - Karel...

They've already taken the Sudetenland.

They will take whatever they want.

They will do whatever they want.

Well, if they do want all the Jews to leave the country

they will have to do it without my cooperation.

Thank you for inviting us.

Of course.

Why's everybody so serious?

It's a party.

YOUNG HERBERT: Is that yours, Papa?

I helped design the entrance and the waterworks below.

Keep your eyes down, boys.

Karel, you shouldn't take such risks.

Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler.

This machine uses X-rays to see through your skin

all the way to your foot's bones.

All 26 of them. It shows how big they'll grow.

Sir, I suggest getting a size larger.

Give the boy room to grow.

Please don't touch the dials.

He doesn't know I'm an engineer.

It's like magic.

That's right. Oh, do you...

do you think the shoes will be magic too?

Maybe they'll even score some goals for you.

HERBERT (VO): Of course, I wanted to believe him.

I wanted to make those magic shoes work at any cost.

[BOYS CHATTER]

Go, go! Come on! Go!

You got this.

[BOYS LAUGH] - Good one, Herbert.

What are you doing?

You'll see.

That must hurt.

It does.

[BOYS CHEER]

Rudy, did you see it?

Yes!

Chocolate?

I'm OK.

That's a shame.

This is 80% Belgian dark.

OK. Thanks.

My weakness.

It feels strange.

What?

I'm the only one who talks.

Tell me about your school.

It's normal, I guess.

Nicer than normal.

But I'm kind of lonely.

So I take photographs.

Photographs? Why?

People don't show their real selves.

They put on like fake smiles, poses.

Who they really are, they keep hidden in their purse

or their pocket or some secret drawer.

BOY: Oh, my gosh.

Right, dude. What's her deal?

[GIRLS LAUGH]

GIRL: What a freak.

HERBERT: And your family?

[PIANO PLAYS]

You're not gonna get into Juilliard if you keep dragging the tempo.

Watch your rhythm.

Clean it up.

Loose wrists, Abbey.

Oh, I gotta go. I'm late.

I wish you'd let me do something with your hair.

Oh, don't forget you're with your dad this weekend.

For Christ's sake! What's wrong with you?

[DISCORDANT NOTES PLAY]

Typical, disconnected, broken, suburban-type shit.

Hm. - Stuff. Sorry.

You know, really supposed to be hearing about your story.

You're sure? I would...

much rather hear about yours.

I'm sure.

Well, times got worse.

The worse they got, the harder my father tried

to make every day brighter for us.

Even Heiney smiled once. - Yeah, when the acrobat fell down

it was kind of funny.

Herbert, catch.

Papa, can we come next weekend?

Whoa! - Jesus...

I'm sorry, boys.

The circus will be in Vienna by then.

They travel the world in these little wagons.

I don't want it to end.

Just because the circus is over

doesn't mean the fun must end.

Do you want to see a trick?

Yes.

Give me your ticket.

Heiney, your seltzer, please.

It's flat. - Oh, flat is good.

I am going to take this needle

and make it point directly

at the chateau across the park.

Ready?

How did you do it? - It's magic.

It's not magic. It's-- - Heiney, it's magic.

Even your beloved Einstein said the path to intelligence

it's not knowledge, it's imagination.

Yes, Papa.

Race me for ice cream.

I give up.

Would you?

OK.

Heiney, do you want to practise penalty kicks?

No. I'm studying.

And you should be as well.

[HORN HONKS]

Boys, come down. It's too beautiful to stay inside.

Let's go for a ride.

Some of us have studying to do!

[HE CHUCKLES] I have an answer for that.

Let's go.

What is the square root of... 529?

This... this is my magic wand.

Who are you? Houdini?

It's a slide rule.

The square root of 529 is 23.

Papa, why are they here?

Uh, remember Aunt Edna?

How she came to our house last summer for a week

and then stayed a month?

Yes. She smelled of onions.

[HE CHUCKLES] - And a bad perfume.

Well, they are just like her.

They are visitors overstaying their welcome.

And just like Aunt Edna, they will be gone soon.

They don't smell so good either.

What is the square root of--

Oh, Herbert, come on. You're missing the view.

Give me that. Take the wheel.

But Papa, I-- - Take the wheel. Just...

Great, now we can all die together. - No, we're not gonna die.

If the road goes right, you go right. If it goes left, you go left.

And I will work the brakes. And Old Johann...

is getting a little boring.

Oh, that's so much better. - [JAUNTY GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS]

Herbie, hold it still.

I'm trying. - So what is the square root of...

isn't this a much better way to do homework, huh?

Yes, Papa.

Whee!

Jesus, stop! - Oh, live a little.

Hold it still, Herbert.

I'm trying.

Let him drive.

So, the square root of...

Papa, drive. Don't let him drive.

He's OK. He's doing his best.

I predict an A-plus on this test.

[HE COUGHS]

ABBEY: I know that one.

Bad grades?

More like, you know, gotta get the right grades

get into the right college to justify your existence.

Like, can never do enough right to cancel out all the wrong.

What wrong did you do?

I wouldn't even know where to start.

Why not start at the beginning?

[DOOR CLOSES]

[SHE WHISPERS]: It got very quiet in here.

[CAMERA WHIRS]

My father tried to make every day brighter for us.

He's opening up to you.

I'm gonna find more excuses to step outside of the room.

Just keep recording.

Why?

I'm not, like, qualified or anything.

What if I say something and freak him out?

Abbey. This man has faced more frightening challenges

than an angry teenage girl.

Trust me.

What do you know?

Well... my parents were there, too, in the camps.

I was an angry teenage girl and they were pretty unfazed by me.

But... if it's too much

tell me. I would understand.

No, it was fine.

It's just like...

I don't know. I mean, he's some old European guy.

Like what... what do I have in common with him?

Well, something, apparently.

Just don't stop recording.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ON RADIO: House of Representatives.

Yesterday...

December 7th

1941...

Heiney, change the station.

...a date which will live in infamy...

[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS]

Mama, why I must I wear it? I look stupid.

Don't worry, Herbert.

All our friends will soon wear it too.

We all get to look stupid together.

Herbert, don't complain.

I must sew one on every piece of our clothing.

Still, I stitch it with care

using silk thread and a triple stitch

at the top of the star.

Why?

Because if we must wear them, ours will be made with pride.

And when you look at that stitch

you'll know it's from your mother

who loves you.

Boys...

it's just for now.

[DOOR SLAMS]

HERBERT (VO): Eventually, we were prevented even from going to school.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to play. - We don't want to play with you.

Why? - We don't play with Jews.

BOY: That's right.

Come on, you little kike, aren't you even gonna fight back?

Get him! - Don't let him get away.

You can't run forever! - We know where you live, Herbert!

[BOYS SHOUT]

You can't run forever!

Get out of here.

Or I am going to claw the tiny little thing between your legs.

The whole world is losing its mind.

Listen, Herbert.

If you are ever in trouble

you can always come here.

Do you understand me?

Yes, Mrs Krall.

ABBEY: I wish I had someone like that.

What?

A Mrs Krall.

A protector?

Yeah, I don't know.

Something like that.

Hm.

Do you get bullied?

Not like...

Wait, Abbey?

Oh, man. I'm worried about her.

It's more than just Jane's bullshit.

It's... I feel like Abbey's just an expression of all of my worst traits.

Just like the normal amount, I guess.

But you would like a protector.

Who doesn't, right? - Hm.

Um...

But I don't know.

Maybe... maybe more like a friend who's stronger than you.

Ah. - You know?

I thought I had that once.

Where is your friend now?

Nowhere.

Nothing, uh...

you know, we're really supposed to be, uh, hearing your story.

You wanna just...

My story, so...

After that, it became too dangerous to even go outside.

[LEAF BLOWER WHIRS]

Look what I found. It's your favourite kind and there's almost half the bar left.

Thank you, Papa. - Yeah? Let's go home now.

It's one hour till curfew.

Papa, look.

[SOLDIERS CHATTER IN GERMAN]

[SOLDIERS YELL IN GERMAN]

Come, boys. We need to go home.

But, Papa, he's our friend. - No, let's go.

Come.

Mayer predicted it.

More arrests every day. And now it's too late.

Stop it, Heiney.

Is it true? Is it too late?

By the time I could get counterfeit papers, this war will be long over.

We should have left when Uncle David went to England.

You know what happened in Poland? - Stop it, Heiney.

They're already digging our graves! - That's enough!

Please.

[WHIRRING CONTINUES OUTSIDE]

That was the last time anyone dared to raise their voice.

Next morning, everything changed.

How?

It was a day just like today.

Clear blue sky.

KAREL: The Gestapo are downstairs, collecting the families.

The Levis, the Weinfelds.

In our building? - Yes.

You need to take the boys

go out the back, and head straight for your sister's.

I will stay here and I will distract them.

Herbert, go get dressed. Now!

What is wrong?

No, no. Everything is OK.

Just... just listen to your mother, OK?

What is going on?

Heiney, you too.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR] - [SOLDIERS SHOUT IN GERMAN]

[SOLDIER IN GERMAN]:

[SHE GASPS]

No, no.

No, no, no.

No!

Herbert, no.

Bring only what you need. Warm clothes.

You can come get them later.

Herbert?

Ahem. Herbert?

Hm? Yes. Excuse me.

You were saying?

Rather than be taken by the Gestapo

some families made another choice.

[PEOPLE CLAMOUR]

[DOGS BARK]

Look out! - [BODY THUDS]

Heiney, Heiney, take this.

Hold tight.

[PEOPLE SCREAM] - [BODY THUDS]

[SHE WHIMPERS]

[OBJECT CLATTERS]

Oh.

Sorry.

I'm sorry. Are you alright?

You're the first person I've ever told that to.

It's too much, huh?

I'm fine. I'm fine. It's just...

It's too much.

ABBEY'S MUM: Brought you the things you asked for.

Your dad wanted to say hi.

You know you guys are divorced.

You don't have to keep...

I can't handle any more of these bullshit rehab meetings.

ABBEY'S MUM: It's not optional.

They did say they'd give you a pass

for Sabrina's memorial.

PRIEST: May this water recall to mind Sabrina's baptism

as Christ went through the deep waters of death for us...

Abbey.

PRIEST: To the promise of resurrection...

Amen. - ALL: Amen.

PRIEST: Like as a father has been for his own children...

I get it.

One photo to sum up a whole person.

Not a whole.

Wait. Stop there.

If you think about it, it's a gift.

ABBEY: How so?

Like, we can see what the whole world is too scared to recognise.

What are you talking about?

The amount of pointless suffering

that goes on in this world each day.

Be more honest to make a real statement.

ABBEY: What kind of statement do you mean?

PRIEST: He remembered that we are but dust.

The days of man are but as grass for the flourish

as a flower of the field.

For as soon as the wind goes over, it is gone.

ABBEY'S MUM: OK, look forward to meeting you in person.

Thank you so much. OK, bye.

That was good news.

I got offered a three-month consulting gig in London.

You know, I always wanted to go to London.

I won't have a lot of time while I'm there, and you need full-time parental supervision

so you'll stay with your dad.

Where did Dad go?

I don't know.

Schnell!

Mache schnell!

HERBERT (VO): If I was very careful

I could even steal some vegetables from the garden.

Potatoes, turnips.

Hi, Mum.

KAREL: I think everybody just worries too much, you know.

It's impossible.

And you know now US is involved, Russia is involved.

The whole world is watching us.

I mean, we had Red Cross the other day here

so we must be safe, you know?

No. Everything is going...

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Papa.

"Happy birthday from Terezín."

Thank you, Heiney.

Thank you, boys.

So they treated you pretty well?

For a prisoner. We didn't know why.

It turns out Terezín was a showcase camp

to fool the Red Cross.

[LIGHT CHORAL MUSIC PLAYS]

Ahh.

Sometimes they'd let our best musicians play for us.

What is this music?

Schubert?

No.

It's composed by Viktor Ullmann.

The one with the bow tie.

[MOURNFUL STRINGS PLAY]

It's nice.

Yeah.

Danke.

I like your music, Mr Ullmann.

Thank you.

Herbert Heller.

Thank you, Mister Heller.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

YOUNG HERBERT: It's not there.

It's not there.

It's a good thing, Herbert.

It's a good thing. Trust me.

It's a good thing.

You're such a brave boy.

The best boy in the world, you know.

[CHATTER IN GERMAN OUTSIDE]

HERBERT (VO): I would soon learn why big decisions

shouldn't be made by young boys.

I had just begged to go to Auschwitz, death camp

where they would murder 1.1 million of us.

Herbert, no!

[PEOPLE CLAMOUR AND SCREAM]

[PEOPLE WAIL AND SHOUT]

So that's why your parents cried when you followed them.

Trying to protect you.

[DOGS BARK] - [GUARDS SHOUT]

MAN: Worry about yourself now.

If you're 13, tell them you're 16.

If you're 40, tell them you're 30.

If you're tired, tell them you're strong.

Where are they taking them?

If Mengele doesn't think you're strong enough

you'll end up there too.

I came face to face with Dr Josef Mengele.

I didn't know about the thousands he had killed and tortured.

Doesn't hurt that bad, does it?

I'm Alvy.

I'm Herbert.

He didn't look like a doctor at all.

He had a swagger stick and a monocle.

MENGELE: Sprechen sie Deutsch?

Nein.

It's OK. I speak your ugly language.

Eyes are pink more than red.

Blue lips...

flat chest, pale skin.

I can see.

You want to cough, don't you?

You're holding your breath.

[HE COUGHS]

[IN GERMAN]:

Tuberculosis.

[GUARDS SHOUT]

HERBERT (VO): I didn't know what to do.

I just stood there.

Finally, I flexed muscles I didn't even have.

Schneller.

Why me?

Why you?

Yeah, why did you pick me to tell your story to?

I've tried to tell it before but...

I didn't want to upset anyone, but...

I already am upset.

Maybe it's because you don't make me nervous.

Or maybe it's because...

I want to hear your story.

Here.

Muscles.

Muscles.

So, remember

"outpatient" basically just changes where you sleep.

You'll still be here 12 hours a day.

And what about Herbert?

I'm only allowing this because of the progress you've made with Herbert.

So we're still gonna-- - Yes, you'll keep working with him.

You know, I thought you were gonna try and keep me here forever.

No, I look forward to you being a distant memory.

Oh?

Because that'll mean I've done my job and you're out in the world, sober

living a good life.

You can call me 24/7.

Remember, you're used to this place.

[KNOCK ON DOOR] - The outside world...

transition can be harsh.

I got Japanese.

Your fave.

I love these bento boxes.

Why do you love bento boxes?

Everything has its own perfect little compartment.

So the miso doesn't get into the rice and the dashi doesn't get into the edamame.

It's... it's nice.

OK.

I'm just trying to make things nice for you, Abbey.

That's why I tried making things work with your dad even when it was...

[SHE SIGHS] ...difficult.

Did it for you.

Not for me.

Why do you think you survived?

I've often wondered that.

Why me? Why did I get to live?

It is true that...

I always managed to find the right job.

At Auschwitz, I was assigned a job at the first aid station.

It took some finagling.

You see, the aid station had water.

I learned if I drank as much as I could

it'd keep hunger pains down.

And at Auschwitz, this was a luxury

to not be in pain from starvation.

At the aid station, I was also at the centre of things.

I remember I could see Heiney coming back from work at day's end.

Once a week, I could cross the camp to see my mother

through the fence.

I tried not to look shocked by her appearance.

Hi, Mama.

You still look pretty.

I love you too.

Even between the fences

we still found ways to care for each other.

It may seem foolish

taking risks for such small gestures

but these little resistances made us feel alive.

Get this to Herbert. - Alright.

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Papa!

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

[HE SOBS]

I could see Auschwitz taking its toll, even on my father.

Stay here.

I soon learned why.

Shall I fill mine now?

No.

I will do it.

HERBERT (VO): One day, I was assigned to work with him.

[HE SOBS QUIETLY]

We knew the oldest

and the youngest were killed right away.

We tried mostly not to think about it.

[SNIFFLING]

Papa, please. We must go.

Come on.

Please, Papa.

What do they do with it?

They make snot rags, for the SS.

Herbert, let's go. Let's go.

Are you alright?

Yes. Yeah.

Things got bad enough that some tried to escape.

I'm so tired of having to remind you all

that any attempts to escape is a capital crime.

And pointless.

The prisoner shall be left up here as a reminder to you.

Focus on your work.

Lose any fantasy of escape.

Herbert, stay here.

Herbert.

HERBERT (VO): Still, some tried to escape.

But you see, there was only one way they could succeed.

The camp was surrounded by an electrified fence.

Sir, you don't have to do this.

Herbert, stop!

Please, sir. Don't do it.

[MAN YELLS]

[ELECTRICITY CRACKLES] - [HE SCREAMS]

So, one moment of shock

and an end to all suffering.

Did you ever consider it?

Why do you ask, Abbey?

Like you said

a moment of shock, end all the suffering.

Look...

Auschwitz was a place that offered very few choices.

I made the choice to believe in my father.

So you never considered it?

Never is a long time.

It happens on the road crews all the time.

It's almost unavoidable.

I heard they sent one of the younger road crews

to work at another camp.

Yes, Karel.

I'm sure you're right.

Please sit down.

Mr Ullman?

Mr Heller.

This is the composer, Viktor Ullman.

I know him from Terezín.

Mr Ullman...

I'm afraid it is broken.

Should I go to the hospital?

No, sir. This is a bad idea.

The boy is right.

I... I'll do my best to set the bone.

Wrap it tight as I can.

Almost as good as a cast.

Shall I get more bandages?

Yes. And plaster, if you can find it.

If not, we'll use mud.

Herbert...

be careful.

HERBERT (VO): Mengele was fascinated by identical twins.

He'd use them for... "medical experiments".

[GUARD YELLS IN GERMAN]

We learned to avoid the hospital at all costs.

[PEOPLE SCREAM AND YELL]

At night, my father tried to lift my spirits.

What is the first thing you want to do when we come back home?

I want to go to the circus.

Remember how Heiney was afraid?

Especially the clowns.

I wanted to believe anything he said.

He was the only positive force in my world, you see?

I know this is hard.

But when this war is over, we will be reunited.

I see us all sitting at the dinner table.

We're laughing, we're telling jokes.

You're married...

you have your own children.

And maybe I can take them to the circus.

Do you want to know how I did it?

What?

The magic trick with the needle.

When you rub metal on silk

it magnetises it

and this way, it will always point to true north.

Your mother always uses a silk thread with a triple stitch on top.

Papa.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS]

Something broke inside me after that.

I felt my time was coming soon but...

I wanted to leave my mark.

I wanted the world to know I had existed.

So, yes

finally, the hum of the fence began to call me.

[ELECTRICITY HUMS]

Herbert? Come with me now.

Please, Herbert.

There's still work needs to be done.

Would you have done it if he hadn't stopped you?

I chose to believe my father.

Why?

I mean, he was wrong so many times.

Because he was my father

and because he was good at magic.

Excuse me, I need to utilise the facilities.

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACH] - Ah.

Sorry. I'm, I'm sorry. I... - Ah.

[HE CHUCKLES] No, no, no. It's alright.

I don't mind.

Yeah.

So tell me about this.

I don't know. It's just like... it's like a thing I do.

To know people.

Yeah, I mean...

I understand.

You do?

Look, Abbey.

From a very young age

I became something of an expert at hiding.

I'm not sure I ever stopped.

So tell me...

what do you find in the secret drawers?

Sometimes stuff you don't want to.

[SOFT ROCK MUSIC PLAYS]

You know, it wasn't just the magic.

I needed something.

Someone to believe in.

Come.

I'll give you a ride home.

Actually, can I... can I show you something?

Of course.

Cool. Yeah.

Yeah.

[SOMBRE PIANO MUSIC]

Yeah, so you can just drop me like right here.

Are you sure?

I can take you all the way home. - Yeah, no.

No, this is good.

Abbey...

thank you.

That's the first time I've heard that music in 60 years.

Yeah, I mean... yeah, no problem.

Do you ever feel guilty?

For...?

For, um...

having made it, and still being alive?

Perhaps.

Oh. OK.

We are going for a little walk today.

Those who can't keep pace...

well, let's just say

make sure you do keep pace.

Biggest trees in the world come from the smallest little pinecones.

All the roots are connected with each other.

So that's why some of them get to be like 2,000 years old.

Wow. - Cos they're just so frickin' hard to kill.

What, like, fireproof?

Yeah. Well, so, if you go a couple hours north

the Avenue of the Giants, there's this one tree.

The Immortal Tree.

It's survived, like, fires and floods and lightning strikes.

Like, loggers in 1908

tried to cut it down, and they just gave up.

So there's an axe about 20 feet up on the stump.

We should go there.

For real?

Yeah, like, for your birthday or something.

I'll steal a car.

Yeah.

♪ All of the trees were in light ♪

I've got to go.

Wait...

♪ They had no faces ♪ - [DOOR CLOSES]

♪ To show ♪

SABRINA (VO): It'd be more honest to make a real statement.

ABBEY'S MUM: It's 4am.

Where have you been?

ABBEY: In the park.

ABBEY'S MUM: I need a break from your fucking drama.

I'm getting a drink.

♪ I heard a voice in my mind ♪

Your mother and I drove all over town looking for you.

We almost called the cops.

Abbey?

♪ I'll try, I'll try, I'll try ♪

Abbey!

Oh, there you are...

So where's Abbey?

Ah.

Unfortunately, she didn't show up for check-in this morning.

So we've informed her family. That's all we can do.

Uh, let's not focus on that.

[SHE SIGHS] We'll just continue.

Um, you want to maybe get a tester for sound?

So her...

[DOOR CLOSES]

[HORN BLARES]

[THUNDER CRACKS]

Uh, you know...

if you don't come in out of the rain

then I just have to bring an umbrella over to keep you dry.

Abbey...

I know it feels like it's the end of the world

but it's not.

I know that.

I saw the end of the world.

I had a ringside seat for it.

Do you remember you asked me if I felt guilty for surviving?

You remember?

Well, every day

I wonder...

how is it that I lived and my brother didn't?

How did I live when my father did not?

So yes.

I felt guilty

for decades...

and then...

I began to tell you my story.

I mean...

it wasn't your fault that they died.

You know, if it was, then...

maybe you would feel guilty.

You haven't heard my whole story yet.

Goodbye.

[GUARD SHOUTS IN GERMAN]

YOUNG HERBERT: Please, Mr Waldman, you must keep pace.

It will be dark soon.

Then we can eat and rest.

You're a good soul, Herbert.

[HE COUGHS]

I know you people are not religious

but there is a quote in the Talmud.

"Don't be daunted by the grief of the world.

You're not obligated to complete the work that needs to be done

but neither are you free to abandon it."

[HE COUGHS]

Why are you telling me this?

Because, Herbert, I'm too tired.

YOUNG HERBERT: What could it be?

Do you think I should chance it?

Yes... but wait a moment.

I'll try something.

Schneller!

[IN GERMAN]:

[RIFLE COCKS]

Even you know by now

you're gonna lose this war.

This was all for nothing.

[GUNSHOT]

You see, I got my chance, but...

Mr Waldman was dead.

For five days, I walked along and I...

I had to keep that sack hidden.

And when I finally opened it

I couldn't believe my luck.

Inside the bag was a set of men's clothes

large enough to fit over my own.

[GUARDS CHATTER IN GERMAN]

I realised

that I had to actually follow the troops

to have any chance of finding my way to a train station.

CONDUCTOR: All aboard. Train Number 7 leaving for Prague.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[SOLDIERS CHATTER IN GERMAN]

I don't think I've seen you wear those shoes before.

Yeah, I don't know. I...

I used to wear 'em when I met up with my friend Sabrina.

Are you supposed to meet Sabrina here?

We don't talk anymore.

Could we just get back to your story?

HERBERT (VO): After all I had lost, I also lost my fear.

I needed some victory, even a small one.

Stop!

Stop in the name of the postal service!

♪ Here I am... ♪

So I finally did get back to Prague

but...

it was a Prague I did not recognise.

♪ At the edge ♪

♪ As bad as it gets ♪

SOLDIER: Halt!

Halt!

Halt!

♪ I sink ♪

♪ To my knees ♪

I knew I needed to find a place to hide before curfew.

♪ I cling ♪

♪ And I bleed ♪

♪ But cry don't you dare ♪

♪ When I die in the ring ♪

♪ Life isn't fair ♪

♪ Love is the king ♪

♪ Love is the king ♪

I'd learned to recognise desperate faces.

♪ Beautiful trees ♪

♪ How everyone sings ♪

♪ And tanks in the street ♪

♪ Like cats ♪

♪ Watching with skill ♪

♪ Green and grey ♪

♪ Violent and still ♪

♪ Spinning above ♪

♪ Stones in slings ♪

♪ When push comes to shove ♪

♪ Love is the king ♪

There was only one place left to go.

However, the war changed people.

Friends would turn you in just to survive.

But Mrs Krall took a big risk.

Bet it was your mother's stitch on top, wasn't it?

I saved this for you.

Keep this.

I know they wanted to shame you with this, but one day...

I think it will become a badge of courage.

HERBERT (VO): There was one last piece of evidence to get rid of.

Back in those days

they used acid to clean the enamel.

And I used the acid and...

see, that's why it's...

that's why it's so ugly.

ABBEY: So that's how that happened.

When it was done

I rewarded myself.

How? - Oh. The best way, of course.

It's time that I drive you home.

It's really... it's honestly really fine.

Abbey.

I'm not going to leave you here alone.

It's getting dark and besides

you haven't told me your story yet, huh?

Huh?

It's good.

I think it's this way.

[BIRD CAWS]

I've always felt...

different from other people.

Isolated.

Then I met someone who just got me.

Yeah, I wasn't... I wasn't stealing or anything.

I get it.

One photo to sum up a whole person.

Not a whole.

Where'd you score the vintage Brownie?

Um... my dad's a photographer.

How'd you know it was Brownie?

Seen one before.

[JAUNTY STRINGS AND PIANO PLAY]

[DISCORDANT NOTES PLAY]

[SHE GIGGLES]

I've gotta go.

[DOOR CLOSES]

You asked me what the wrong thing I did was.

Everyone thinks my overdose was accidental.

But it just wasn't.

It was before I met you.

You once said I had good self-worth.

Truth is, I started cos I wanted to know my worth.

Elite Escort Agency.

Sounded glamorous.

A lot of men found me pretty.

Then, well... found out my worth.

Three hundred and seventy-five dollars.

Ready? - What kind of camera is that?

[CAMERA CLICKS] - This camera

is a Brownie Hawkeye.

I had no idea he was your dad.

Fuck him straight to hell.

Had a kind of pain that...

it just felt like there was one answer for.

So... we made a pact.

♪ They had no faces to show ♪

♪ I saw a sign in the sky ♪

♪ Seven swans ♪

♪ Seven swans ♪

♪ Seven swans ♪

[ABBEY RETCHES]

By the time I could do anything, she was already gone.

I just panicked.

♪ I'll try, I'll try ♪

I just, I don't know...

I just hid all the evidence.

I tried to save her. I really did.

I really tried to save her.

But you know, the worst part is that...

I wish I was gone.

[SIRENS APPROACH]

It's like... it's like I killed her.

It's like... it's like it's my fault.

I think we should get some air.

I hid for a long time.

With your secret?

No.

In Mrs Krall's attic.

Ah.

[AIR RAID SIREN WAILS]

I had to stay hidden in the attic

to keep the Kralls safe

even during the bomb raids when everyone else was in the cellar

because you could not trust anyone.

Not even your neighbours.

[BABY CRIES] - [GUNFIRE OUTSIDE]

One day, the Nazis were chased from the city.

Yes. Now you have to go.

And the war soon ended.

It was over.

The war was over.

Though damaged

the streets felt very alive.

For months, every day, I would go to the Red Cross.

I would give the names and the numbers.

My father, my mother, my brother.

Each day, I would hope for some word.

Thank you.

Then, one day...

the most beautiful day.

For the rest of her life, my mother never spoke of the camps

or how she survived.

Not to me or anyone else.

This is mine.

I built it with so many people

help from so many

the living and the dead.

For all those decades, I kept the secrets.

I suppose I kept it because I thought

they should have lived instead of me.

But that's not what happened.

I was the one who lived.

What if they knew it was your fault that they died?

It's OK.

It'll be o... Ah.

That's not true. That's... that's a lie.

The same lie my father told me so many times.

But... that lie kept me alive.

I think maybe it also kept me stuck.

Look, Abbey, I do think

things will be OK.

I don't know for sure, but...

What?

But I do know, tonight

my secret ends

and that's because of you.

And maybe yours could too, hm?

[FOOTSTEPS ECHO]

That's a cool stroller.

I designed it myself. Ha!

Had it custom-built in Japan.

No shit.

Um... - Oh!

[HE CHUCKLES]

Looks really sturdy.

It's been tested, up to 160 pounds.

No way.

No shit.

[HE CHUCKLES]

Make a right turn at the zebra.

Come here. I got him!

Ha-ha! Faster. Come on.

Faster now!

[KNOCK ON DOOR] - Abbey?

[DOOR CLOSES]

It wasn't that weird that I was pushing you around in a stroller

like a little kid, was it?

Uh, not really.

I have a feeling it's something I'll be experiencing

quite a lot in the near future.

Ha.

Oh, what a nice house.

Yeah. - Hm.

I, um...

I really want to thank you.

Abbey...

at the fence

I made my own decision.

Sabrina made her decision, not because of you.

And now...

you have to decide how you're going to live your life.

But...

what are you supposed to do when you've done something unforgivable?

You forgive yourself.

I've held on to this for 60 years.

Now it's time to let it go.

Oh, no. I... I can't.

You've had your own journey.

Oh!

I'm so sorry.

You tried to tell me so many times and I just...

[SHE SOBS]

I'm sorry.

ABBEY: It's OK.

[HE SIGHS]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Someone said, "Secrets are like a prison

and not just for the people keeping the secret."

So if that's the case, then...

maybe telling the truth

the real truth, not... not just some...

acceptable truth

um, can liberate you

and it can liberate the people around you

and free you from fear

loneliness, guilt.

Ahem...

I'd like to introduce you all to my good friend, Herbert Heller.

Because of Abbey

I'm able to tell my story today.

And now, I'm sharing it with you lovely people.

At least it gets you out of class.

[AUDIENCE CHUCKLES] - Ha-ha.

Sixty years is a long time to hold on to a secret.

♪ Say, who are we to pretend ♪

♪ To know things we don't? ♪

♪ And say ♪

♪ Who are we to neglect ♪

♪ Our vast horizons? ♪

♪ To be at peace ♪

HERBERT (VO): You're just not worried that even though, if they...

if they catch you, they would shoot you.

You can overcome fright.

I tell students that if they have things

happening to them which they're not happy about

that they have enough strength and willpower

they can overcome that.

Drove by and I saw you

and I had to give you a hug.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, I'm so glad that you remember. Well, thank you.

And I always talked... talk about you to people.

Really? Thank you.

And I always tell people

that you were the most important thing

that happened to me in high school. - Oh, my God.

So thank you so much. - Well, thank you.

Don't be sad. It had a good ending. It had a good ending.

Yeah. - It's got a good ending.

So thank you.

Thank you. - Thank you for remembering.

Thank you. - It's fantastic.

♪ To be at peace ♪

♪ With and without ♪

♪ Knowledge and doubt ♪

[BIRDS CHIRP AND CAW]