Original subtitles

He came?

Shit.

50 and still a total jazz bunny.

One furry foot in the grave.

- I brought a cake. - I need a drink.

I brought that too.

Apologies… Good evening.

Vera, as you probably know, is my daughter.

When she was young, she had a lot of potential.

Brains.

Looks.

She could have been a judge. Or a doctor.

A diplomat.

But here we are. She's 50.

A good moment to summarize her life.

And I have to say…

She is, without a doubt, my greatest disappointment.

Isa!

They're pretty good.

- For English people playing jazz, maybe. - He owns a club in London, Ronnie Scott's.

I wonder what he calls his willy.

Ronnie Scott's Ronnie Scott? By Ronnie Scott?

He's funny.

He's not that funny.

- I'll be back. - No, please don't!

Sorry.

- You're a darling! - Hey! What is she doing?

- How do you always do that? - What?

- Act like you own the place. - It's an act.

Well, it's working.

Great. Now he's coming over.

- You have school tomorrow. - I didn't realize it was this late.

- Where were you? - Isa's.

I can smell the cigarettes. I'm talking to you, young lady!

Like a whore. Coming home in the middle of the night.

Do you mind?

You went to that jazz club, didn't you?

If you want to achieve half of what I have in this life, young lady,

you'll need to change direction.

Open wide.

Must be Herr König's root canal.

What are you doing?

Hello?

- I'm booking a tour for Ronnie Scott. - "I'm booking a tour for Ronnie Scott."

"I'm 18 and I still live at home…"

"I'm organizing fantasy gigs for old men I met yesterday."

Stop it!

Sit down!

What should I say?

Hello. This is Vera Brandes.

I'm booking a tour for Ronnie Scott.

Yes, hi. This is Vera Brandes. I'm booking a tour for Ronnie Scott.

Will people show up?

Of course they will. Are you kidding?

Hi! This is Vera Brandes. I'm booking a tour for the Ronnie Scott trio.

Who?

Ronnie Scott, the jazz musician.

Hello?

Hello. This is Vera Brandes.

Sorry to bother you so late.

I'm booking a tour for the Ronnie Scott trio.

A year and a half in advance?

One second! Someone's coming. I'll call you right back.

- What's wrong? - No one knows Ronnie Scott is famous.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

Maybe it's that clinic. It's so depressing.

At the record store, when someone calls from England, the manager is always nicer.

- Maybe I should call from England. - You'd have to get there first.

Can I borrow a cigarette?

Who are you?

Oliver. I just moved here.

- Where did you move from? - Hanover.

- Hanover. - Hanover.

What do you do for fun?

We organize against oppressive political systems.

- Do you have boyfriends? - We don't believe in boyfriends.

Vera!

I have to go.

Who's that?

Her boyfriend.

He doesn't go to school here.

No, he doesn't go to school here.

Ciao!

Pretend you're a club owner and I'm calling you.

And November's not possible but the first of December could work.

You're just going to work for this guy?

I'm going to be a concert promoter.

- He wants to sleep with you, you know. - Can we try?

Fine.

You know what? Let's do it in English.

Vera! Hello?

You've been in there for half an hour!

Just improvise.

Improvise.

Bunker Ulmenwall. Hello?

Hello?

Holy shit.

Guess who just booked her first concert!

Whoever has the money has the power and whoever has the power has the right.

To comply is to lie.

Away, capitalists, we will win the last battle.

From now on, this is all you'll listen to.

CAN?

The British papers say it comes from Communism, Anarchism, Nihilism.

Some say it comes from Turkish "chan" for life, soul.

- Wanna know the truth? - Yes.

They collected optional band names in a tin can, and two band members just wrote 'Can'.

No, please take care of the water damage at once!

The Engelmanns move in in two weeks.

There's a strange smell in the clinic this morning.

Fritz, what are your plans for the day?

Another day of sitting around and doing nothing?

He's trying.

Losers try. Winners get the job.

- I'm not a loser. - Oh yeah?

You sure look like one to me. Do you have to smoke at breakfast?

Yes.

- Where is she going? - School!

Here we are. It's not very big but it has…

good light, great location, at a very reasonable price.

- I'll take it! - With pleasure.

No! No, the fourth doesn't work!

No way! Especially not for this amount!

Listen to me, Ralph Towner is not going to miss three gigs to perform at your place…

- Mouths open. - What is that?

Body of Christ.

Listen to the nice man.

I'm trying to understand why you think this is my problem!

Very good.

I'm not complicating things, I'm protecting my artist!

Then why won't you listen? Then you go there and drive them!

- What are you doing to me? - Corrupting you.

Listen to me! That's impossible!

Then I suggest you learn how to use it.

Do not yell at me!

Lesson number 2: Floh De Cologne.

One makes love when one is young.

Later one marries.

But I don't want to obey!

Quiet! Assembly line baby! Get married!

But I don't want to do the same things!

Quiet! Assembly line baby! Start a family!

But I don't want to go to work and do the chores!

Quiet! Assembly line baby! Buy a car!

But I don't want to just have children, go to work and do the chores!

- Quiet! Assembly line baby! Build a home! - But I don't want to become a moron!

- Quiet! Assembly line baby! Watch TV! - But I don't want to ruin my health!

Quiet! Assembly line baby! Save for retirement!

- But I don't always just want to… - Quiet! Assembly line baby! Work!

Work is a joy!

Be quiet down there!

Nothing will quiet us down!

Work evenings are triple the joy!

The weekend has a cock in its mouth!

Morning! Wake up!

I know what you're doing.

- What? - I know you haven't been sleeping here.

I know you have a flat. I can ruin everything for you.

- You wouldn't dare. - Try me.

You're a moron.

- It's 7:40, Vera. - Will you give me a lift?

Sure.

What do you want?

Work.

You didn't tell me we'd be driving all night.

You don't pay me enough.

You want more money?

Then just do your work.

I don't work for you.

You literally work for me.

Hurry up!

Oliver, come on!

Quick!

Go!

AWAY WITH SECTION 218!

They feel oppressed.

Not only those demonstrating on the streets will be dissatisfied with these statements.

Far more than half of all women want abortion access.

My belly belongs to me!

In total, no less than 73% of all women are calling for the government

to decide in favor.

Vera, you've brought dozens of jazz acts to Cologne.

How does a young woman get involved with all of these musicians?

Ice cream.

At your age, shouldn't you be listening to rock 'n' roll?

We don't like being told what to listen to.

- Who's we? - My friends and I.

- Friends from school? - Some.

Do you believe in love?

Are you pro-abortion?

I'm anti-Nazi.

Do you have a boyfriend?

I don't know. Do you have a boyfriend?

Is it okay for a woman to use her looks to gain an advantage?

If she wants to.

What do you want out of life?

To die. And then become immortal.

You are misquoting Godard.

I'm more practical.

- It's workers' exploitation! - Yeah. Make sure it's straight!

It's just not right.

I have a high school diploma. I can do better than this.

It's just like Dad says.

What image represents the phrase, "The feminist seed…"

Frau Brandes!

"The feminist seed goes…"

Where do you think you're going?

Berlin. Jazz Days. I'll be back on Monday.

- Absolutely not! Who gave you permission? - I don't need your permission.

- Vera, I will not pay for this. - I don't need your money.

- I said you're not going! - Don't touch me!

Dr. Brandes!

Hello, Frau Menken!

Is everything okay?

Of course, it is. Of course.

Jazz Days in Berlin.

His picture is everywhere in Berlin.

Miles Davis, the most influential musician on the international jazz scene,

took center stage at the Berlin Jazz Days.

What are you doing here?

Where were you?

You've been waiting here all night?

- They wouldn't let me in. - Oh no.

Morning.

Morning.

I'm going to organize a concert for Keith Jarrett.

Keith Jarrett? The guy who plays keyboard for Miles?

Just him and a piano.

No band. No standards.

- Will he play anything? - Nothing. Everything.

- He improvises. - You smell like sweat.

And you stink like a pig that slept outside all night.

You're the pig.

Are they going to pay you to put on this show?

If I can find a venue. And fill it.

Gigi's ice cream parlor?

The Cologne Opera.

Jazz? At the Opera House?

- A thousand seats. - One thousand three hundred.

Forjazz? You have officially lost your mind.

Have you ever seen Keith Jarrett play?

Then you won't understand.

A jazz concert?

Not a jazz concert. A Keith Jarrett concert.

- They need you on the rehearsal stage. - Thank you.

Forgive me, Frau Brandes. We have a show tonight.

I just need a commitment. For January 24.

Make ten copies.

- Impossible, I'm afraid. - Why?

- We have Lulu scheduled. - Lulu?

Have you sent out the offers? The opera by Alban Berg.

- Herr Breuer? - Yes, what?

Then we'll go after.

It ends at 10pm.

Then the theater must be cleaned up, the instruments removed.

- Then we'll go at 11pm. - Hi, Boss.

11 at night, in January?

Are you mad?

- Would you like to see the new stage set? - I'll be right with you.

I'll pack the house.

No sets. No electric instruments. No PA.

Nothing. Him and a piano. Your Bösendorfer.

- And you will pay in advance. - Of course.

It's 10,000 DM.

10,000 DM.

Is that a problem?

No!

- Not at all. - Good.

Very good.

10,000 DM?

Where the hell are you going to get that?

How do I look?

Beautiful.

But 10,000 DM?

I need to look young and innocent.

I don't know about innocent.

Hello!

Shit.

"NOT EVEN 20, ALREADY AN OLD JAZZ BUNNY"

Ah! The jazz bunny.

Could I perhaps have an autograph? I'm a huge admirer of your work.

Where are they?

Why do you look like this?

Hello.

I'm sorry. I didn't know they'd print this title.

They're trying to sell papers.

Your headmaster called. She saw the paper.

You are going to be expelled.

I'll fix it.

Frau Vogel made up her mind.

I guess this is the wrong time to ask for a 10,000 DM loan?

Jazz bunny! That's what they call my daughter. Is that what you are now?

We gave birth to you!

Bravo.

Vera!

- Vera! - Ilse, just let her go!

Vera, wait!

Ilse!

- You came back. - Yes.

Vera, I'm sorry for hitting you. I'm really sorry. Come here. Please.

Is it the money?

Is that why you're here?

I thought so.

Just like a whore.

I'll pay you back right after the concert.

I've already committed to it.

Do you know what I was doing when I was your age?

Going to school?

I sat on a giant spotlight,

trying to find the planes coming to bomb the city.

And I watched it burn to the ground.

There was nothing left.

Nothing.

From which I rebuilt my life.

And now I have two children.

A loser and a whore.

If I was a real whore I wouldn't need to ask you for the money.

You can run all you want, Vera.

You can put up your little shows and pretend you're a jazz bunny.

But I can tell you how your story ends. You're going to fail.

You're going to fail and lose everything.

And then you'll go to school.

And if you're lucky, you'll have your own clinic one day.

In the basement of the house where your children live.

Until then, you won't get a dime from me.

Not a single dime.

- Understood? - Yes.

Dad.

What happened to your face?

The patriarchy.

Huh?

Nothing.

You should go now.

Maybe you deserved it.

- Vera! Open the door! - Who's that?

My boyfriend.

Vera!

Open… the… door!

Open… the… door!

Vera!

- Where is he? - Who?

I heard you met someone at Gigi's…

What happened to your face? Did he do this?

No, he didn't, it was…

- Jan! He didn't do this! - I'm going to kill you!

I didn't know she was with someone! Calm down! I didn't know…

Stop.

Calm down!

- Mama. - Stop it! Stop it right now!

Who the hell are you?

Who am I? Who are you?

- That's her mother, you idiot. - Mother?

She's 18!

I have to get out of here.

You as well.

You live here alone?

Yes.

You smoke?

Do you have a washing machine?

No.

And how do you pay the rent?

Mom, you don't have to worry, I'm… working.

There's a check in here.

The money you need for your concert.

You can have it, under one condition.

If you can't pay me back, you'll stop with the music business.

You'll finish school and… you'll do something useful with your life.

Become a dentist.

Yes.

Does Dad know about this?

- Not yet. - He'll never agree.

You leave him to me.

If you take this money, then you have to promise me.

I'll pay you back.

Good.

Nice place.

And now, from New York, Todd Rundgren: "Everybody's going to heaven,

- because we've all been through hell." - WDR 2. They're expecting me.

You're listening to "Radiothek" on WDR.

I told your friend we don't play jazz on Radiothek.

- Jazz is dead. It's museum music. - It's not jazz.

- Keith Jarrett is not jazz? - No.

- Then what is he? - I don't know.

I thought you were the promoter.

Nobody knows! Keith doesn't know! That's the whole point!

So it's jazz.

- It's free improvisation! - Yes. Jazz.

- He plays whatever comes to him. - So jazz.

It's unlike anything you've ever heard. Your listeners deserve to know about it!

Jazz. Jazz. Jazz. Jazz. Jazz.

Listen, it's a long story,

but if I don't sell tickets today, I'll have to become a dentist.

- I can't stand dentists. - Me neither.

So what should I say?

Say it's happening. And you don't know what it is,

but it's something, and it's happening tonight at the Opera House at 11pm.

And if you happen to be in Cologne, you should consider coming.

Because nobody knows what it will sound like,

or be like. And that's how magic happens.

I'll say there's a jazz concert at the Opera House at 11.

Thank you!

I'm going to have to find a real job.

She's in her late teens but already the ultimate femme fatale.

Men can't help but fall for her. Then she destroys them.

Hey! That's my sister you're talking about.

No. It's Lulu. The opera before our show.

How does it end? The opera?

She becomes a prostitute, brings home Jack the Ripper, and he murders her.

Why do you know this?

You have to know the old world before you can destroy it.

There she is.

Drop me off at the hotel, then go to the Opera House

and make sure they're ready for the sound check.

And we need to check on all the shops and see that they have tickets.

What are you waiting for? Go!

- What's wrong with him? - His back.

You shouldn't have made us walk.

He looks terrible.

- He didn't sleep all night. - Did he not sleep on the flight?

We were told the Opera House will have a Bösendorfer Imperial.

Yes. Is this not it?

It's not.

What is it?

It's a half-broken piece of garbage.

This isn't a Bösendorfer?

It's a baby grand. A rehearsal piano.

It's not the Imperial?

A Bösendorfer Grand Imperial is about three meters long.

It has nine additional keys and weighs half a ton.

What does that mean?

It means this is the wrong piano, and it means Keith Jarrett will not play on it.

- This must be some kind of a mistake. I… - Yeah.

Just wait here.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Herr Breuer?

Shit.

Can I help you?

Yes! Thank God you're here. The piano.

You have the wrong piano on stage. I need the Grand Imperial.

- It's not on stage? - No.

Is Herr Breuer here? It's an emergency.

He's not here today unfortunately.

Then who can help me?

Well, it's 4pm on a Friday. I'm not sure anyone can help.

That's not possible. I was promised the Grand Imperial.

- Herr Breuer assured me of this in person. - I'm really sorry.

Where do you keep your pianos?

Our pianos? I'm not sure I follow.

The pianos. Where do you keep the Opera's pianos?

I don't know.

There's a missing piano. Where could it be?

You don't have to talk to me that way.

I'm sorry. I'm just trying…

What's your name?

Sabine Hofmann.

Frau Hofmann.

I need your help.

Can you call someone? Your technical director? Herr Breuer?

There must be someone?

- I guess I could try. - Please.

No answer.

Try Breuer.

Should we really involve him?

Try Breuer, please.

Okay, okay.

Hello? Hello?

This is Sabine Hofmann from the Opera House.

I'm sorry to disturb you on a Friday, but I need to speak to Herr Breuer.

Is he back perhaps?

I see. Well, can you have him call when he arrives?

Thank you.

No, no, no. Everything is perfectly fine.

All good, yes.

I wish you a very nice weekend too.

Goodbye!

Frau Hofmann. Lulu begins in two hours. The piano on stage is broken.

Keith Jarrett will not play in the Cologne Opera House on a broken down shit piano!

- You don't have to yell. - Yes, I do have to yell!

This is everything for me.

I need a piano. Here. In the next two hours.

He can't play on the one that's on stage?

No!

No one knows where the piano is.

Can you just tell me what's wrong with this one?

Apart from it being out of tune?

- One of the pedals doesn't work. - Okay.

The action is uneven on the keys. Some keys don't release properly.

The tone is bad.

- It sounds tinny. It has no volume. - Got it.

It's too small and too weak for this room.

It can't make enough sound. Not for one thousand people.

What if it's the only option?

Even if this were the last instrument on earth,

Keith would not play on it.

Excuse me again for a moment.

Frau Hofmann! Do you have a phone book?

- Ah! You're back. - I'm back.

- Do you have a phone book? - Of course we have a phone book.

We'll need it. And we'll need to use your phones.

And the piano tuners. I'll be right back. I'm getting everyone.

Everyone? Who's everyone?

Excuse me, I'm here to record the Keith Jarrett concert.

Where should I set up?

Thank you.

- All good? - Isa, I need your help.

Come on!

We're calling piano stores, rental companies, concert halls.

Anyone who may have access to a piano and is able to bring it here.

- The piano tuners! - Thank you!

Bösendorfer, Grand Imperial.

As soon as possible. I need it in the Cologne Opera House.

Grand Imperial.

It's an emergency. I need a Grand Imperial.

Yes, hi. I have a problem…

I need a Grand Imperial for the Cologne Opera today.

Yes, I know it's late. I know it's late.

I'm very polite.

I need a Grand Imperial for the Cologne Opera.

I understand it's a very expensive piano.

We need one urgently tonight.

We need it now.

No one can tell us where we can get one.

What do you mean when? Right now!

No, not a Steinway!

A Grand Imperial.

Can you please call someone?

It's an emergency. You have none?

Yes, thank you.

I found a piano.

A Grand Imperial. At the adult education center.

- We can wheel it over. - They're coming to open for us.

We're on our way!

Go! I'll meet you outside!

We found a Grand Imperial. We're bringing it in right now.

Good.

I'm sorry about all of this. I…

- Piano tuners? - Yes.

- Follow us! - Where to?

The new piano!

- Piano? - Yes!

Here it is!

We were just about to send it back for storage.

Push! Push!

I'll need you to sign the liability papers.

Of course.

Stop.

Stop!

- You can't do this. - Why not?

This isn't some jam band instrument.

You'll destroy it.

I don't have a choice.

Do you have 40,000 DM lying around? Because that's going to be the repair bill.

I don't have any time…

Whatever the problem is, this is not the solution.

So what's the solution?

Show me the other piano.

The piano is broken!

Show me.

Please.

Do you want it or not?

Ladies and gentlemen of the orchestra, the show is about to begin.

Performers, please take your places.

And?

We can fix it, but for this room?

But you said, "Show me the piano."

- And now I'm saying we can fix it. - But not to a Grand Imperial!

- This is a rehearsal piano. - We're piano technicians.

We don't do miracles.

He's not going to play.

Ladies and gentlemen of the orchestra, performers, please take your places.

Is that you, idiot?

No.

Let me in.

- What? - Everyone is looking for you.

What are you doing here?

He's not going to play, I won't be able to pay them back. I made a deal.

So, you're quitting?

I wish they gave me 10,000 DM.

Yeah? What would you do with it?

I have some ideas.

You know I hate you, right?

Yes.

But if anyone can find a way out, it's you.

- He's not going to play. - Then make him.

- How? How do I make him? - I don't know. Improvise.

Look at us.

Me…

I'm good looking. Sure.

But you?

You're Vera Brandes.

Not even 20, already an old jazz bunny.

They're coming tonight.

- Who? - Mom and Dad.

They asked me for tickets.

- He wants to see me fail. - Yes.

Why are you being so nice?

Because I hate him more than I hate you.

Well, that's it.

How long do you need? To fix it?

Five hours. And Lulu is about to start.

Can you work while they perform?

You want us to fix a piano during a live performance of Lulu?

Yes, backstage. You'll have an hour between the opera and our concert.

- You'll be able to check it then. - No.

We can try.

Thank you.

Hey, watch out!

Tonight at the Cologne Opera, Keith Jarrett plays a solo concert.

The young promoter Vera Brandes says,

"It's not jazz, it's anything Keith plays at the moment."

11pm at the Opera right after Lulu.

Roll up, roll up to the menagerie,

proud gentlemen! Life-loving ladies!

She was created

to wreak evil and destruction.

To entice,

to practice seduction,

to poison,

to murder,

without leaving a trace!

I have to go check on the piano.

Are you sure it's the right piano?

The pedal works.

So we have that.

We have no time left.

Can you… go somewhere?

You're not helping.

Hey! Good evening!

Keith Jarrett is playing a solo concert. Right now. In twenty minutes.

- Just go and see it. - I've got plans.

- Keith Jarrett at the Opera! - No, thanks!

In twenty minutes!

Wait a moment! This concert will change your life. Keith Jarrett.

- Vera! What are you doing? - We have to fill the seats.

- You don't need these flyers. - There's still a few minutes.

- Vera, it's sold out. - What?

The concert. The opera house. It's sold out.

Sold out?

Mind moving your coat?

You're leaving?

There's some people here you haven't insulted yet.

I just want to tell you something. Before you go.

You were a terrible father.

I'll never forget all the shit you did to me.

All the names you called me.

But if I am a disappointment, I did something right.

Goodbye.

Are you okay?

I made you a cocktail.

- Do we have any vodka? - I'm sure we do.

- I'll need the bottle. - We have that too.

One!

Two!

Three!