Original subtitles

TEMPERATURE: 22°C. HUMIDITY: 55% GINKGO BILOBA

Does the baby need a break?

Tenth floor.

Doors closing.

Going down.

SILENT FRIEND

MAIDENHAIR TREE Scientific name: GINKGO BILOBA

- Your beer. - Thank you.

- Excuse me. - This beer is local.

Welcome to our faculty Professor Wong.

Thank you.

- To you! - Let's make a toast. - To you! - Let's make a toast.

Cheers.

Good evening.

Sorry I'm late.

I went to the wrong restaurant.

Hello, my name is Jules.

I'll assist you and translate for you, if necessary.

I'm doing a PhD in Neurology.

I decided to immerse myself in your field of research.

I need an assistant, not a translator.

My Chinese isn't bad.

Sorry.

They hired me because I said I knew the language,

but I only speak it with my grandmother.

I'm sure your Chinese is wonderful.

I'm a great admirer of your research.

I won't let you down.

- Sorry. - Oh...

Thank you.

Enjoy your meal.

Wow...

This is our signature dish.

Hello?

I forgot.

Tani, don't worry.

I only need a projector.

I've already requested one.

No need, I'll take care of it.

All right, thank you.

But I can handle it.

See you tomorrow.

Good morning.

Good morning!

- An espresso. - Yes, certainly.

The situation with COVID-19 continues to worsen.

Citizens and businesses intend to fight this virus,

and do everything possible to provide the support Hong Kong needs.

We remain in constant contact with medical personnel...

- Is it ready? - Yes, go ahead.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Good morning.

Good morning.

The Linnaean system.

Carl Linnaeus.

- Swedish botanist, born in 1707-- - One moment.

To begin with, we'll ask you a couple of questions.

Excuse me, Professor.

It seems that you received your higher education...

at a prestigious institution in Switzerland.

Tell me, at that institution, were you also taught Latin?

Yes, Professor.

I passed the final Latin examination with highest honors.

It seems you tend to say a little more than you're asked.

Am I right?

You evidently come from a family with substantial financial means,

considering that your family could afford to send you to Switzerland.

All because, as the esteemed professors here know very well,

there are still no institutes for ladies in Germany.

Still?

What an insolent champion of women's rights we have here today...

Well then, if at that prestigious institution,

besides household management and handicrafts, you were also taught Latin,

then perhaps you can tell us what Carl Linnaeus's original name was.

Carl Nilsson Linnaeus.

Is that all?

Is there nothing else to say about him?

That is not all.

I was merely expecting questions about the topic.

It seems you're somewhat irritated today, dear young lady.

Or is that your usual tone?

Professor, I respectfully expect questions related to the topic.

Can you tell us the title of Linnaeus's second work?

"Species Plantarum."

The full title is:

Species Plantarum exhibentes plantas rite cognitas...

ad genera relatas cum differentiis specificis...

nominibus trivialibus...

synonymis selectis...

locis natalibus...

secundum systema sexuale digestas.

Correct.

Excellent.

What is the fundamental principle of Linnaeus's system?

On what basis does he build his entire classification of plants?

He distinguished plants by sex.

Based on that, he assigned Greek names to species.

Monandria, Diandria, Polyandria...

Wonderful.

You've prepared well.

It's refreshing to see such extensive knowledge.

Could you translate those Greek terms you mentioned?

Well, they indicate the number of other plants...

with which a plant comes into contact during reproduction.

A little more specific?

- Monandria is when the plant-- - What?

The plant?

- Well, the original Greek term is... - Yes?

Are you interested in the particulars of Linnaeus's system, Professor,

or in Greek etymology?

Thomas,

could you bring the book we're discussing?

Here it is, Professor.

Let's see...

To quote Linnaeus himself:

"The petals do not take part in plant reproduction,

but serve instead as a bridal bed,

so wonderfully arranged by the Creator.

It is surrounded by rich curtains and seductive fragrances,

so that bridegroom and bride may celebrate their wedding in the most solemn manner.

Once the bed is prepared,

the moment finally arrives when the bridegroom embraces the bride,

and the bride yields to the bridegroom."

What is it? Am I embarrassing you?

No.

No?

Good.

Since we're at a university, and not having coffee in a café,

we have no time for blushing.

Let's try again.

Monandria.

One man and one woman.

Diandria?

Two men and one woman.

Polyandria?

Twenty or more men and one woman.

Now that's something that exists.

Clearly, your experience

is considerable.

Ah, those ancient Greeks...

So then,

what do you think of Linnaeus's approach?

He created a solid system that helps us navigate the plant world.

Before that, only random connections were shown.

More precisely, plants were studied in isolation.

Thanks to Linnaeus's approach, every new species finds its place.

New species become part...

of a single, complex structure of relationships.

A structure of relationships?

Listen carefully to her words, esteemed colleagues,

because it seems we have before us a future scientist.

I'm not mocking you at all; I mean that quite seriously.

For example, Johann Georg Siegesbeck,

Linnaeus's teacher and an unquestioned authority,

wrote the following:

"If eight, nine, ten, twelve, or even twenty or more men should be found...

in bed with a single woman,

or if the beds of prostitutes...

formed a circle so that married men might meet with their chosen partners..."

And so on and so forth...

then it is very difficult to believe that God...

would permit such acts of fornication in the plant kingdom.

Who could possibly explain to our students...

such an indecent system

without provoking public outrage?

What do you think, dear young lady?

A future scientist should have an opinion.

The idea was new,

and new ideas always encounter resistance.

Do you mean to say you have nothing against promiscuity?

Perhaps you even practice it?

- I'm not a plant. - No...

You're right about that.

You're far more attractive.

Aren't you?

She has revolutionary knowledge.

The old school is finished now.

- How are we supposed to take that? - Yes, I didn't think it was that bad.

Is she really that intelligent?

How is that possible?

Well, what topic did you get?

It's unbelievable that women are allowed at the university.

And how do you imagine it?

GINKGO BILOBA

Miss!

Over here!

It's me.

Who are you?

I'm the assistant.

You were brilliant this morning.

The old man nearly burst with rage

because his one-man show didn't have the desired effect.

What are you talking about?

Oh...

You see, the professors were horrified...

that women were admitted to the university this year.

Yes, I noticed that too.

Eight girls were admitted.

Old Winterhalter prepared this topic for all eight of them.

No exceptions.

And what if one of them had drawn a topic that wasn't about Linnaeus?

Look...

I'll show you...

Take it.

But that's illegal.

Nobody knows, except them and me.

And now you, too.

We won't tell.

- Neither will you. - And why not?

Because they admitted you.

Only you.

You're like the queen bee.

You have 370 subjects at your disposal.

But why are you doing all this?

- The professor? - Yes

He's a bitter, resentful man.

His wife openly cheats on him,

and he doesn't have the strength to leave her.

We even have our own Linnaean system showing who she's already seen

who she's seeing now,

and who she plans to see next.

It includes almost every man.

It's no secret.

He has no reason to be cheerful.

As for the other girls, he asked them to point out on a diagram

the parts corresponding to the female genital organs.

You should have seen their faces.

GINKGO BILOBA

RAINER MARIA RILKE "DUINO ELEGIES"

What are you doing?

Does it look like it?

It's my garden.

For what?

I'm conducting botanical experiments.

But lying here isn't forbidden, is it?

Lie wherever you want, and I'll divide up the garden later.

Oh, great.

I only intend to lie here.

Will you help me?

I don't want to.

There's no need to be rude.

Oh really?

How did we go from "leave my garden alone"...

to "why don't you help me"?

I was only asking...

Well, I don't like plants.

I see.

That was just politeness.

I'm from a village.

And?

After school, it was always the same.

I had to take care of plants.

And whenever it rained,

the whole village would rush out to gather potatoes, store straw,

and stack hay.

I was sick of it.

And on top of that,

I looked after animals too,

and frankly, I don't like animals either.

I've had more than enough of all that.

Especially plants.

Uh-huh...

What's the experiment about?

What are you growing?

Do you see that geranium?

In the window...

It's mine.

Geraniums?

That's a bit ordinary.

I don't need it for its beauty,

but for science.

There are eighteen criteria.

My task is to understand what plants perceive and how they react.

Something like that...

I want to repeat recent experiments and see what happens.

Wow...

They certainly do have a will.

You want...

to discover their language.

Exactly.

You won't succeed.

You don't even know the project, yet you're sure we won't succeed?

No, I...

It's just that...

we're very different.

No matter how hard you try,

you'll never be able to see ultraviolet rays. Our eyes aren't designed for it.

If there is a signal, there are no devices to receive it.

It exists, but it's as if it doesn't.

- The idea is good, but-- - A signal can be transformed.

You're right.

It would be wonderful to find out...

what a clover thinks just before a horse steps on it,

but it's unlikely we'll ever know.

Doesn't that bother you?

They're here,

right beside us.

They watch us and think God knows what about us.

Well, maybe they don't think, but still...

I feel very uncomfortable when a plant is near me.

As if I were walking around naked,

and suddenly noticed people staring at me.

Yes, it's a little frightening.

You are very skilled,

but allow me to show you something.

Look...

- See? - Yes.

It's easier this way.

Thank you.

And honestly, what do you think of this work?

I think it makes sense.

But you don't understand what the point is.

No.

I used to hate this work.

But imagine you're in a forest,

and suddenly you see something incredible that has never been described before.

You have two options: pull up the plant,

but that breaks the structure,

or you can take it with clumps of soil, and then it might live for another week.

But thanks to chemicals and this simple...

equipment, you can work wonders.

When I was working in the Amazon—

You were in the Amazon?

Twice.

I plan to go to Indonesia as well.

Wow...

Doesn't it seem unpleasant to you?

What?

Come on, tell me...

Inhale.

Exhale.

Touch your chest.

Close your eyes.

Feel...

your unity with nature.

Close your eyes.

Feel the earth beneath your feet.

Walk.

Walk.

Open your arms.

Your feet touch the ground.

Lift your chest upward.

Cross your arms.

Jump.

Turn in a circle.

Raise your arms and legs together.

Step and jump.

Step and jump.

Good...

Very good...

Let joy light up your faces.

Step and jump.

And again.

Raise your hands to the sky.

Feel the impulse in your chest.

Very good...

See?

Good morning.

May I ask where the young lady spent the night?

Here, in my room.

I only went out for a walk.

Oh, come now...

A walk, you say.

Yes,

in the botanical garden.

But the garden opens in fifteen minutes.

- But I... - If my daughter did something like that,

I'd whip her so hard she'd regret ever being born.

Excuse me.

What is that you've got there?

That bundle?

Look.

A bedsheet!

See?

Look...

My mother ironed it for me,

and now a young lady is wandering through the woods with it.

- Frau Maier... - A true lady, no less,

yet she behaves worse than a dog.

That's enough, Hanna. There's no need to make such a scene.

No need to make a scene?

She lives under our roof and runs off into the woods to spread her legs.

- Frau Maier, I did no such thing. - And what if the police bring her home, eh?

Then what? What am I supposed to tell her parents?

They entrusted her to me.

And what if she gets pregnant, eh?

Hanna, the children!

Right. Out.

Go outside.

Don't listen.

All right, you too, Klaus, outside.

The last thing I need is for them to learn bad habits.

I can explain this terrible misunderstanding.

- I didn't do anything in the park. - Get out of here.

Pack your things

and leave.

...the classification, as it shows us...

Excuse me.

Assistant wanted, in exchange for room and board.

Hello!

Dear madam,

please forgive me.

I had decided to take a break.

Well, how may I help you?

Well, actually—

A portrait, as a keepsake for someone.

I have some very beautiful backdrops.

- But I— - May I show them to you?

Zeiss, dear,

we have a customer. A young lady.

Come on, don't be afraid.

Ah,

that is not a toy for a lady.

Please,

sit over there,

in the armchair.

And place one of those delicate little feet on the stool, please.

How did you become a photographer?

Me?

No one has ever asked me that before.

Well, I'll tell you the truth.

I have weak lungs, so they declared me unfit for service.

Then I discovered...

this occupation.

I had the first camera in town. I built it myself.

Ah...

Wait.

What are you doing?

Moving the lamp.

Why? What difference does it make?

Only a photographer would understand.

- You certainly wouldn't. - But I'm interested.

Well, if I place the lamp...

next to the camera, everything will be lit evenly.

Your little face will become flat,

as if, forgive the metaphor,

as if you had been struck in the face with a baker's bread paddle.

But look...

If, instead...

Come closer to the camera, and I'll sit in the armchair.

You see it, don't you?

Do you see how long a shadow the nose casts?

Yes.

Or like this...

Like this.

Like this, do you see?

Yes.

Look...

Like this...

Tell me, what exactly does an assistant do?

Hello.

What are you doing here,

dear young lady,

at this hour?

I've come.

Come in, come on...

What do you want?

Well, as I already told you, I accept the assistant position.

But, dear young lady,

do you really believe that I...?

How could I possibly hire you as my assistant?

- I thought you were joking. - I wasn't joking.

Why would I?

But we reached an agreement,

didn't we?

This is madness!

Get that idea out of your head.

Go home right now.

It's very late.

I...

I...

If you're working on a sensitive area,

take a deep breath,

and don't breathe again until you've finished with it.

Everyone wants to look beautiful, even those who deny it.

Sometimes I even straighten noses,

or make a chubby face look slimmer.

With men, it's important...

But with men,

the trick is removing age spots without making the face too smooth,

like a baby's bottom.

Sorry, I always say that.

GOETHE THE METAMORPHOSIS OF PLANTS

And yours?

Biopsychology.

I'll return it now.

Have you read it already?

Yes.

So, are you going?

Yes, why not?

It's going to be hot.

Well, goodbye.

See you.

- Bye. - Bye.

Hi.

- Hi. - So?

So?

What are you up to?

Reading.

Yeah...

Great.

Well, see you.

- At home. - Uh-huh.

- Keep reading. - Bye. - Bye.

Hello.

Wait...

Well?

How is it going?

Very well, I'm finishing up.

Good.

Isn't it a common misunderstanding, Miss Greta,

to believe that photographs reflect reality?

Rather, they are an instrument that allows us to study its fragility.

This instrument requires care, Miss Greta.

Taking care of a camera means, above all, using it,

otherwise it deteriorates.

I wanted to ask you to take care of it.

Look...

Do you see the latch? You have to open it.

See?

This is how we focus.

This is the shutter.

Then you press.

- Hello. - Hello.

I've put the kettle on.

The filters are above.

Where?

To the right.

Further right.

Further right.

Thank you.

How many spoonfuls?

Well, six.

How many?

Stop.

Tell me, have you made any progress with the plants?

Yes.

Why?

I found something that might help.

All right, let's see...

I'll read it.

Everything is leaf, and in that simplicity lies great diversity...

Goethe?

Uh-huh.

Goethe? You don't understand, Hannes.

I'm working on something new,

and an eighteenth-century poet has nothing to do with this.

Sure, yes, yes...

Yes.

Shall I show you the geranium,

my project?

Isn't it beautiful?

Uh-huh...

Very.

And you were quoting Goethe too.

Yes.

- What is-- - Don't touch it.

It's the sensor.

And what does the sensor do?

It transforms the reaction into a kind of language...

that can be read.

Uh-huh...

Full moon.

Great.

Yeah...

Hey!

Hannes!

Come on!

- Stop... - Why?

- You... - I didn't do anything.

Hannes, you're an idiot.

If they don't meet our demands, let's move on to something else.

Hannes, say something.

We have no other choice.

- Hi, guys! - Hi.

Personally, I think we can continue the strike until the end of the semester.

There are things far more important

than getting an education.

Sure.

I can't ignore this.

It shouldn't be this way.

Agreed.

Look, an owl over there.

Do you hear it?

There it is.

- Where? - There.

An owl...

An owl?

Where's the owl?

Hey, take this.

What's wrong?

I don't want it.

I understand,

but why?

He said he doesn't want it, leave him alone.

Because of ideology?

Can you finish it?

Relax...

Feel the freedom.

Don't worry about what your parents might think.

You're like a pastor.

- What? - You think smoking is cool.

And the pastor thinks that about Jesus.

- Wow, they're getting started. - Amen...

- What was that... - You're out of line.

Take that!

That's intense.

You brought it on yourself.

Want a potato?

Aren't you cold?

It's cold.

Here.

Thanks.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

What are your plans for tomorrow?

They're picking me up.

Do you have nicotine too?

We're taking a break.

Do you want us to sleep together?

Uh... What?

Do you?

Because if you do, I wouldn't object.

I don't think I...

Don't you like me?

No.

I mean, yes.

- I... - Are you a virgin?

What are you talking about?

- Am I wrong? - No!

I heard that you...

No!

Can you pass me the potato?

Thanks.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Don't touch it.

- Just come in to water it. - As if I could just walk into your room like that.

Come on, we'll be late!

Coming!

Once every four days.

That little?

You're the expert.

I don't want it getting used to it.

It mustn't get attached.

For the project, it's important that the bond is with me.

All right.

The machine runs by itself, you don't need to touch it.

You can see the values here.

Uh-huh...

Write them down here, always using the appropriate color.

And what do the colors mean?

Red means very good, and blue not so good.

The rest, I think, is clear.

And don't smoke here,

or let anyone in.

Well...

Oh, and don't water them when they're in direct sunlight.

Otherwise, the leaves will burn because of the water.

And watch the soil.

If it's dry, water it.

All right.

Well, that's everything.

Okay.

Goodbye.

Good luck.

Thanks.

I'll walk you to the door.

Every four days.

Every four days, and the garden every day.

- Understood. - Well, we're leaving you alone.

- All good. - Bye. - Bye.

We have to go, come on.

I'm coming...

- Good luck. - Same to you.

Damn...

Come closer! Come closer!

Two for the price of one.

But where are you going, what's wrong?

There won't be another offer like this.

Fresh vegetables.

The best cabbage.

Please, take a look, very fresh, everything very fresh...

10 pennies.

Hello.

Hello.

Ah...

I wanted to know how you're doing.

Maybe you're feeling very lonely on the campus.

Lonely?

No. And you?

Oh, everything's fine.

Thank you.

You're completely alone on the campus.

Don't you find it difficult to be in isolation?

Not at all.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

You didn't call without a reason.

Actually, no.

This morning, the dean called me.

She...

Asked me to tell you that she is concerned about your health.

You can tell her everything is fine.

I hope I'm not causing any trouble here.

To be honest, she asked me to talk to you.

About what?

The dean received a formal complaint, quote:

The conduct of Professor Wong is concerning.

In the future, he should refrain...

I suppose I won't read it all.

I'm sorry, I feel very embarrassed to bother you over such a silly complaint.

It's nonsense, isn't it?

Everything okay, little one?

- Mommy, Mommy... - I'll be with you in a moment.

I'm hungry, put on some music.

- Well done. - What are we going to eat?

OPEN - CLOSED

I've prepared a list of what I need.

Please go to the Laboratory of Neurobiology and Biochemistry.

Professor...

I won't be able to help you.

Do you have access?

No.

I'm sorry, but right now I feel very uncomfortable.

The research is on hold, isn't it?

The research I was supposed to help with, not this...

I hope you understand.

All right...

- Let's put it here. - Jacques!

Put it up higher.

- Quick! - Hurry up.

Come on, faster.

We're coming...

Let's put up another one.

Quick!

The German studies students are the most involved.

Their participation isn't even debated.

They're already with us anyway.

Where are you going?

To take care of something.

To take care of something?

We're on strike.

Don't you get it?

Look, we have to stay here.

We'll move when they meet our demands, okay?

- Yes. - Yes, yes.

It's important.

What's so important at four in the morning?

Care to tell me?

I have to water the garden

before sunrise.

Water the garden? What are you talking about?

What kind of nonsense is that?

Forget it, it's not important,

but I still have to go.

Why water the garden right before sunrise?

Do you at least have beer?

What an idiot you are.

Hey, wait!

Where do you think you're going?

- Don't fall behind. - Come on, hurry up.

Quiet, the police.

Come on...

Quiet, quiet, quiet, everyone calm down.

- Come on. - The police.

Hey!

Yes, that's right.

Sit here.

We've got room for you, sit down.

- Give me a beer. - Go offer him one.

Sit down and relax.

Hannes!

- Leave him alone. - I bet he won't come.

- Another cider? - Cider?

He's a serious scientist.

What are you doing there? Come with us.

- Hello! - Look, if you...

Just tell me...

- Get out of here! - What are you doing? Stop!

Get out right now! Out!

Go to hell! Come on, get out.

What's wrong with you?

Come on, calm down.

Instead of insulting us, tell us what you're doing.

- What's wrong with you? - Out!

- Hannes! - Idiots!

Are you kidding?

Hey!

Nice throw...

I don't give a damn about the strike.

He's a fool.

Well, we're leaving.

- Stay with your little flowers. - To hell with you and your flowers.

Hello.

- Hey, stop, let's celebrate. - No.

- Don't be afraid, it's good. - I don't want to.

- It's plum. - I don't want to.

Why?

Well, what a surprise.

I want to join the expedition.

I've studied photography, I can be useful.

Really?

Sit with us.

- No, I came to-- - Oh, come on, sit down.

Don't be afraid,

they're even more embarrassed than you are.

Let's make a toast.

- So you're a photographer? - Yes.

- Formally trained? - Uh-huh...

Excuse me.

OPEN - CLOSED

Hello, Hannes, how is my geranium?

Peter asked me out.

Do you think I should go?

Gundula.

You have reached Alice Savage.

Please leave a message.

I wanted to show you something.

Please...

Thank you.

Enjoy your meal.

It's my favorite dish, since childhood.

"Heaven and Earth." That's its name.

"Heaven and Earth."

"Heaven and Earth."

"Heaven and Earth."

Good?

Please forgive my behavior,

and the inconvenience I have caused you.

Please forgive my behavior, and the inconvenience I have caused you.

I suppose you understand...

that scientific experiments are sometimes strange.

I suppose you understand that scientific experiments are sometimes strange.

I can explain everything to you.

I can explain everything to you.

Eat. Otherwise it will get cold.

LOPHOPHORA WILLIAMSII

FROM PROFESSOR ALICE SAVAGE TO PROFESSOR TONY WONG.

We'll have to wait.

We'll have to wait.