All language subtitles for Besa 2009

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Inspired by actual events

Professor Filip Simic
was appointed headmaster

of a school in the south
of the Kingdom of Serbia

He brought his wife Lea with him,
a native of Slovenia,

then part of Austro-Hungary.

How many beds have we had?

This is the fourth,
not counting Vienna.

Why not counting Vienna?

Well, that was the first time
we slept on the floor.

Ah, funny...

Don't. - Don't...

Don't!

Do we have an iron...
mister headmaster?

What? - An iron...
you know, to press things?!

An iron, we call it an iron.

We call it an iron too...
An iron, iron...

You've arrived?!
- Do mind the glass, please.

What's the name of that
school attendant? - Azem.

Azem, have you by any chance
seen the iron?

There, you see, an army trick...
press the stitches together.

You're so...

They won't really...?

Surely they can't be that mad?

Emperor Franz Joseph
and Austro-Hungary

have treacherously declared war
on the Kingdom of Serbia.

Therefore, brothers and sisters,
the proclamation reads:

We, Peter I, King of Serbia,
have decided

to put our entire army
on alert!

Don't let them
get Belgrade, son!

Don't be afraid,
not every bullet hits its mark!

Take Vienna, damn their eyes!

Take both Buda and Pest!
Hurray!

Down with Austria!
- Down!

Down with Emperor Franz Joseph!
- Down!

Azem,
take this suitcase in first,

and then make room between
these books, so we can pass.

And then we'll finish later.

I came to fetch the globe,
mister headmaster.

My daughters would like to know
exactly where Vienna is.

Summer holidays, can't help it.

I've been urgently summoned
to the war effort.

Wonderful, congratulations.
- I thought I'd ask you...

to keep an eye
on my Lea until I return.

I don't know
if that would work,

we've only just decided
to paint the house...

Please don't think I have
a problem with her being a...

Sorry, I'm in a rush.

You're not going anywhere,
I won't allow it.

I'll come too. - Everything
is going to be alright.

But don't speak German
around here, please.

I'm sorry Azem, you can go.

Oh, Serbia, you sweet mother,
I will never have another...

Filip!
Filip where are you?

What should I pack?

What am I going to do here
without you?

I don't know anyone here.

I'll probably be back soon,

and Azem has promised to look
after you. I trust him.

I don't need anyone.

I'm scared on my own
and I speak Serbian.

What's this?
- No idea.

What is it, Filip?
- I don't know.

Shame on you. - You see
you're afraid of everything.

Take care of the school
and wait for me.

How about I come
with you after all?

No...

And promise me you won't cry.
- I won't.

You can bring
your family over too.

There's enough room at the school.
- Never mind.

My sons and brothers are looking
after... The land, livestock.

Thanks again
for agreeing to do this.

I know what trouble is,
mister headmaster.

Good day...

Filip told me
you'll be looking after me.

The key...

You know, the key...

that opens and closes the door,
if I need it?

Mane comes.

Why did you lock me in?

Where did you get the key?

You can't do that,
I'm not a prisoner, you hear?!

Good morning.

Please give me back the key.

I must lock the apartment.

And then call for the coach
to take me to the station.

I hope the trains are
still running.

Sure, the furniture can stay...

I'll be back, just like Filip.

It's better for you too,
what do you need me for anyway?

This is not right,
shame on you! Open up!

Run... Run...!

Stop, you thieving scum!

Thank you kindly...

And thank you for driving
the thief away.

Go on, breakfast...

You've earned it.
Go on, sit down.

Have some tea.

It's gotten a little cold,
but I have no coffee.

I have some biscuits
from Belgrade,

I hope they're still good...

Nice.

Go on now, give me the key...

Ah, you talk, nice.

Do you ever go home,
do you have a wife, children?

Surely you don't live
in the school?

Now it's... the Besa that lives.

What is Besa? Explain!

I've had enough. I'm going
to Belgrade to look for Filip.

You could've knocked at least.
Understand?

Good day.

Brothers and sisters, in the
name of His Majesty Peter I,

I report that our brave army has
defeated the Austro-Hungarians!

The remnants of the enemy army
are fleeing...

Everything will be over now
and Filip will be back soon.

Long live Serbia,
long live king Peter...!

Forgive me, I forgot,
you people don't drink.

Long live Serbia!

But why? I'm not...

I'm Serbian now,
an Orthodox Serb.

When I got married I learned
to cross myself like this,

with three fingers...

In fact I'm Styrian,
Slovenian.

We don't much like Vienna either.

Shoo, madam... shoo!

That's where I met Filip and...

There's no light...!
Azem!

Here, take it, take it all,

leave me alone
and let me walk for a bit...

Forgive me, I didn't mean...

Open up, it's us!

Grandma sent you
something to eat.

She remembered, at long last.

Hello, my name is Lea Simic.
What are your names?

They're your sons, right?

Grandsons.

Come in...

Fine...

If I'm a prisoner,
then I want to hold the key!

Open up, woman!

Austrian women don't wear
head scarves either?

She's not Austrian.

Go home.

What should we bring you
next time?

Some meat, milk, cheese,
if there's any.

Give your grandma a hand
if she needs it.

All right, alright...

I'll give you the key back,
but I want to walk!

All right...

A walk is fine.

Good day.

No!

I'm not going anywhere,
I don't have a suitcase...

I'd have to go to the post office

to check
if there's a letter from Filip.

They probably don't have
anyone to deliver mail.

You can come along,
I don't mind.

There.

Fine.
Just, don't follow me like a...

Stay here. Understand?

What did we agree on?

Don't be afraid, Frau,
you'll be fine.

I'll go first, big guy!

Albanian bastard!

Forgive me...

Thank you,
thank you so much.

Ah. What's the matter now?

I can untie this
whenever I like.

Fine, fine...

Serbs have a saying:

honour everyone,
credit to no one.

That's how it is.

I can't go without...
A wedding gift from my parents.

Look, this goes first,

then that...
You put this here.

Put the needle there,
at the beginning.

Schubert.

Gretchen sits at her spindle

and sings about feeling as
though she were in a graveyard.

Her beloved is gone,

life has no meaning anymore,
it becomes hard and bitter.

Goethe.

Again.
- Never mind, go to sleep.

Why is Filip not writing?

You know he hasn't even sent me
his army post office number?

Go to sleep.

I don't like it that
they're coming down this way.

They should fight up there.

Maybe it's the postman?

Mrs Simic, it's me, open up!

I'll be right there!

Now you'll let me go or else...

Untie me, please,
I'll be right back. Honest.

How nice,
I was expecting the postman.

I am a kind of a postman...

Take this globe first,
I'm returning it.

Your Filip sent me
a letter for you.

I guess he was afraid, you know
what people here are like.

but I'd mislaid it...

Wonderful,
I was getting really worried.

Here is some, my younger
daughter had a birthday.

Just watch it doesn't get wet.
- Thanks, you shouldn't have.

It's nothing.
Here's the letter too.

Thank you very much,
do call again.

The headmaster says
Azem is looking after you.

I can't see him.

He's doing chores around here,
I don't see much of him.

Aren't you afraid of him?
- Not in the least.

That's because you're not
a Serb. I'd be dead frightened.

Goodbye.

Three of his letters returned,
and the fourth arrived.

Incredible.

It won't end soon. Looks
as if they're attacking again.

If our boys win now...

Who are our boys?
- The Serbs, of course.

If our boys win now,
I'll start teaching.

If they don't, he says to
ready the children to evacuate.

But what matters is
he's all right,

he's working at the Ministry.

And he still hasn't sent me the
number of his army post office.

Lovely, carry on.

No.

Go on, take it.

It's delicious.

Do you have a granddaughter
or a daughter perhaps?

Yes.

Three what?

Daughter, two grandsons,
granddaughters.

So, you have
two granddaughters,

two grandsons, a daughter
and at least two sons?

Three.
- And a wife? -Yes.

How many of you are there?

Many.

Brothers and sisters,
I'm informing you

that our brave army has
fiercely routed the enemy

and forced them
to retreat in chaos...

The school is starting.
Go on, pupils.

When the war is over, I'll only
teach you gymnastics and dance.

I don't speak Serbian
so well, but I am a Serb.

Quiet, children,
listen to the madam.

And when you go home,
tell your mums to put

petroleum on your hair.
- Yikes! - Why?

Because of the lice. So they
won't have to cut your hair.

I've read you learned the
dance of the Sun and Moon.

Yes.

All right, let me see what
you remember. Who was what?

Quiet there, girl,
I can see you!

The Sun. - The Moon.
- Little star.

Very well, Sun and Moon
come over here

and show me
what you've practised.

Arms up...
and now wide...

The sky is great...

Lice are a peril because of
typhoid, and the children...

Good?

Good. Very good.

Come, I'll rub petroleum
on your head too.

Don't be afraid,
lice can get in your hair.

Think I'll bite your
nose off if I touch you?

Yes.

Mister headmaster
my dear husband,

if they don't want to study,
they don't have to.

It's war, who could study?

At least I will be
of some use.

A, B, V...

You know it?

I work at school.

Azem.
- Excellent.

Slovenia.
Styria.

That's where I'm from,
and you're from... here.

That's very close.

I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to touch you.

Mrs Simic!

Lieutenant Jevrem Stoiljkovic.

I have orders to requisition
a certain amount of your stock

for the needs of the Second
Army. Here's the warrant.

Very well, but...
What if the pupils return?

Madam, people who are prepared
to get killed must eat.

What about the pupils,
I asked you?

The pupils eat at home,
with their families.

Of course, I'm being silly.

Help yourself but I don't think
the army will overeat on this.

Lale, let's go.

There's so little there.

Move it!
- Let them, Azem, we'll survive.

Is that your Albanian?
- Yes, that's my Albanian, sir,

if that's all right with
the army of Kingdom of Serbia?

The army doesn't mind, madam,
if you don't. - Not at all.

Especially since no one else
was willing to look after me.

He's dangerous, one should be
cautious with him...

You'd let them shoot at you?

He got a point. He's
a nice gentleman after all.

Well, his head is
a bit too big, but...

Have you seen his gloves?
He looks a bit like a waiter.

If only I could send
some food to Filip.

Come here.

Here, have some.

You shouldn't be afraid
of this lieutenant,

I know how to handle his kind.

Go on, eat.
It'll get cold.

What was that?
It's not...

And I already thought that...
I really am tend to panic.

Children?

I don't know.
At first we were in no rush,

we said there was
plenty of time...

Then I couldn't,
or he couldn't.

I don't know, science will say
all sorts of things...

I don't think all people
have to have children.

Why then...?

I don't know... just like that.

What did the wedding
mean for you?

An ox, a load of corn,

4 measures of coffee,

4 sacks of wheat,

4 measures of honey,

8 measures of rice,

10 measures of cheese,
12 measures of sugar...

Thanks, that's enough.

But is there love between you?
- Yes.

She serves,
she guards my honour,

she feeds the children...
- Yes, but do you love her?

Of course, I guard her honour
and I look after her.

Thank you, but I don't
wear that, it prickles.

Take the sugar, even though
we're running low.

Thank you... I'd already
forgotten the taste.

I feel so European somehow,

even without the "Europe"
tavern you've invited me to.

Does he have to sit here?

He does... You don't have to,
but he does.

Don't be cross, madam, you're
too much of a lady to be cross.

Thanks for the compliment,
but I am no lady whatsoever.

I am a schoolteacher,
please get to the point.

What are you staring at me for?

You know, we don't draft them,
we don't trust them.

They don't trust you either.

Have you ever wondered
why that is?

Would you mind using German
so he can't understand us?

I wouldn't, but how do you know
he wasn't delivering coal

in Vienna as a child,
with his father?

Albanians haven't learned
where Belgrade is yet,

let alone Vienna.
- I was joking.

You're Austrian?

No, I'm Slovenian,
Styrian, to be exact,

married to a Serb and a citizen
of Serbia, everyone knows that.

What they call Slovenia
today is in Austria,

until we've liberated you.

Do you have telephone?

How would we?
We don't even have power.

I'll be candid.

People in town suspect you're...
You're working for Austria.

Me? How?
With carrier pigeons?

I don't know, madam.
This is just a friendly chat.

No, I don't keep animals,
although I'd like to have a dog,

a mad and dangerous one,
who'd hunt down and bite

stupid informers and
the officers who listen to them.

Please don't be like that.

I'll write and complain
to King Peter himself,

just so you know.
- How come you know His Majesty?

I met him at a ball held by
the Circle of Serbian Sisters

at the Officers' Home
in Belgrade.

And he used to play cards
often with my husband.

This is just a petty thing.

That nice gentleman
should be aware

of what his officers are like.

I don't know King Peter at all,

I've only seen him once,
from afar.

He was very sweet. I even hear
people call him Uncle Peter.

I really have a big mouth,
tell me to be quiet.

Be quiet.

Easy, easy!

What's going on here?

The lieutenant has kindly
decided to move to the school.

Azem, give these people a hand.
- Go on, take this!

Hear what I'm saying?!

Arrest him! - He's my orderly,
he can't go anywhere.

They're here for Uncle Peter.
- Be quiet.

We could do an act
at a cabaret together!

I won't touch you.
Let me have a look.

This is like a guitar.

Coming down the stairs.

Climbing up the stairs.

Birds flying, birds flying...

Thank you, but I don't know...

Hello, my babies...
Come here, come here.

And what's that?
- Milk, milk.

These are your
granddaughters, or...?

This is not an animal market.
Get off!

Lale, let them go.
Get back here.

Madam.
- Thank you, Lieutenant, sir.

Always at your service,

especially since you convinced
me you were not a spy.

That's right, that's right.

And you have to enrol them
in school, all of them.

It's a shame your granddaughters
do not go to school.

Why don't you take Filip's soap
and add some hot water?

Makes it easier, they say.

Mrs. Simic, it's me!
Come!

I only have two left,
so I thought...

Thank you, you shouldn't have.

Here, a chicken...

You wouldn't by any chance have
a letter from Filip for me?

No, unfortunately...

You two look like a married
couple. You have children, goat...

That's not funny at all.

When are we going to do
gymnastics and dance?

Right away, love.
- Lieutenant was saying

such nice things about you
at dinner with us last night.

He says there are very
few women like you in Serbia.

Very nice of him.
- Why don't you move in with us?

It would be much more
comfortable. - Thanks, but...

Azem wouldn't let me alone.
I'd have to bring him along.

I'm sorry, but that couldn't be,
unless he stayed in the yard.

He's not my dog.
- He's not your husband either.

Hands up...
that's right.

Back straight...
and smile.

Good, good...

That's right, that's right...

Lovely...
Take your time.

Could I join you perhaps?

Soran Simonesku, The Dance
of the Sun and the Moon,

if I'm not mistaken?
- Yes.

We continue The Dance
of the Sun and the Moon.

Nice and easy.
You two as well.

Where do you get your gloves?

In Vienna. Unfortunately,
I only have two pairs left.

He's a genius, listen.

As soon as Andrei put his arm
around this thin, slender waist...

He means Natasha Rostova

And as soon as she swayed
so close to him,

and smiled at him
from so close,

the wine of her charms
dazzled him.

He felt invigorated
and rejuvenated.

Stepping away and leaving her,

he paused and looked
at the ones still dancing...

By god,
you either don't look at all,

or when you look,
you really look...

Go on, we should go to sleep.

Good night.

Sweet dreams.

You know that too? Nice.

I've never danced
so well before.

Do you know the one
about Franz Joseph,

Emperor Nikolai II and a camel
meeting in a casino?

How could they possibly
have met in a casino?

Well, they went
to Monte Carlo to gamble.

So, the camel sees
Franz Joseph is cheating...

Thank you, that's enough.

Can I have one of those?

I love cigarettes,
but Filip doesn't like them.

Offer one to Azem. He keeps
puffing at that thing of his,

I don't know
the Serbian word for it.

Here, take one...

See, they don't really know
what a cigarette is.

They do, they don't want them.

Pantomime.

A man walks.

A man walks down the stairs.

A man climbs up the stairs.

Birds flying, birds flying.

I can't keep silent anymore.

You're a small woman,

but also the most wonderful
creature I've ever seen.

I can't find the words
to describe my feelings for you.

Forgive me.

I had to tell you this so that
this one doesn't understand.

Get off, you scum!

Fool!

Azem, let him go!

Don't you ever dare try to lay
a finger on this nice lady,

you immature wretch!

I'll kill you like a dog
if you only try...

I was wrong.

At least tell me
why you did it.

Don't look at me like that.

You have such eyes...
God.

It doesn't matter if you did it
for him or for me, or...

We'll just say goodbye now.

You'll go to your family,

and I'll move in
with the teacher. - No.

You can always find me there.
- Mustn't be... The Besa.

Be quiet.

Ah, mister Albanian is here!

You can't! - We can do it
a lot worse too. He'll see yet!

We really missed you!
Move, animal!

Our father, who art in heaven.
Hallowed be thy Name...

Jevrem Stoiljkovic!

The hospital will move in
with you, madam.

Fine, it should. And tell
that lieutenant to call me,

or I'll go to King Peter,
even if I have to walk there.

Shame on him,
some officer he is!

We'll do what we can.
Very well, Major, sir.

We'll do even more than we can.
Yes, sir!

Come on in, Mrs Simic.

Your Albanian has
assaulted an officer

Of the King
and martial law is clear.

Therefore...
- May I sit down?

Of course, I apologize.
Make it quick, please.

And what would
martial law have to say

if they knew you tried to,
excuse me, to rape me?

What you're saying is
completely untrue.

I don't know how complete it is,
but maybe it's not...

But whose word would
the military court and King Peter

believe,
yours or mine?

I have had a bit to drink,
and I relaxed a bit,

but that's everything else but...

To my own misfortune,
I, the fool, fell in love.

I deeply regret it now.

It's nice of you to regret it,
but you're no child.

Madam, I might get killed
every day.

The front line is getting closer

and you're distracting me here
because of some Albanian.

Can you see my position?

I can if you set him free.

That's out of the question.

You were flirting with me too.

You have to admit that.

You reminded me
of my baby brother,

that's why I was fond of you.

I know he pledged Besa,

a solemn oath to your husband
to guard you and protect you,

but he's a villain
and I cannot let him go.

You know,
I could start screaming

and say you're trying to take
advantage of me this minute.

Me?
What are you talking about?

I'm sure at least someone
would hear me.

Would you like me to try?

You really are
an incredible woman.

That won't save you.
Let him go.

I can't, no way.

And what what'd you say if I
pointed a finger at the citizens

who wanted to rob me,
who broke my windows

and really did want to rape me?

And it was Azem
who saved me, not your army.

Who are these people?

You want to send them to
military court too? - Of course!

Leave the military court be,
you have better things to do.

Fine, I'll let him go.
- I don't believe you.

I'm a Serb, madam,
and I can't pledge Besa to you,

I can only give you my word
as an officer.

Backo, let the Albanian go
this instant.

Never you mind,
just let him go,

give him his weapon,
I don't want people to talk.

Nothing happened, you fool...

It doesn't matter, we really
don't need a shooting... Go on.

Our courier has brought you
a letter. He says it's urgent.

I doubt it's from King Peter.

Madam, you forgot something...

Tell me honestly, which
do you prefer, women or war?

My fatherland.
- And after that?

Women, of course.
I don't like war.

What have they done to you,
for God's sake?

Good night.

Filip is coming.

We have to take
the children far away.

Serbia is done with.

Thunder?

Cannons far away,
by the river.

What do we do now?

Why don't you get in bed
with me here?

It's stupid for you to still
suffer there, on the floor.

Can't be.

That doesn't mean anything.

You know how many times I've
slept with my brother's friends

when we went skiing
and nothing happened.

Nowadays men and women can
sleep together only as friends.

Look, I'll be here,
and you there, on that side.

Piece of cake.

Go on, don't be all coy,
like a woman.

Just don't look at me like that
and everything will be alright.

Maybe I should disinfect
these wounds after all.

I have some iodine and balm.

God, what would that be?

We've checked the list,

you go home now, pack
their things, dress them warmly,

but no more
than one change of clothes.

They'll get everything
they need there.

When are you leaving?

When Filip,
mister headmaster, says so.

And when the army says so.

Calm down, people, calm down!
They'll be fine there.

They'll be safe, they'll see
the sea and the sun.

They'll be saved and they'll come
back to you, alive and well.

Do they have
a post office there? -They do.

We just don't know
where they're sending us.

Let us get to the sea
and the allies first.

You won't go through Albania?
- I don't know, maybe we will.

In this cold weather?
What will they eat?

If you have to,
it's not... - Hard. - Hard!

Is that how the saying goes?
- It is.

Bombs will not fall
where a votive candle burns.

I had a sheep dog.

A good guard it was,
big, strong.

I had no worries
when it was on the meadow.

Not a single sheep
could get lost.

Then, one day, the dog got lost.

I drove the sheep to the pen,
I turned, it was gone.

As far as I know, it was dark.

I called, I searched,
no use.

It's like it vanished
into thin air.

The next day, me, my brother
and children looked for him,

we went to the woods,
we went to the neighbours,

the Serbs, the Turks,
the Gypsies, no use.

Then I forgot about him.

I found two little dogs,
its offspring maybe,

and so little by little,
the sheep got used to them.

Then one day, he appeared.

I don't know where from,
out of nowhere, he showed up.

It licked my hand and sat down,
watching.

I was happy, I took it to the
sheep, it didn't do anything.

The sheep weren't afraid,
it wasn't barking, nothing.

For one day,
for two days, three.

Where had it gone, why did
it leave, what did it see?

No idea.

And a dog can't talk.

It was very sad,
just the way a man is sad.

Do you know I'm a bit like
that dog of yours? - Be quiet.

You talk so nicely.
Why haven't you talked before?

Be quiet.

Now I know what Besa means.

Some looking after,
no joke.

I couldn't write to you.
- Hey, we'll talk on the way.

What matters now is
that you're alive and well.

Almost a year and a half.

How are you,
everything all right?

Everything's all right,
mister headmaster.

What's that? - They've beaten
him. He was defending me.

Let's make a toast
for a kept Besa.

And for everything going well,
at least here with you.

How do you say cheers?

Thank you, Azem.

Filip?

I'm sorry,
I'm already running late.

Let's say goodbye.

We've never even shaken hands,
and now there's no more Besa.

Now you're allowed to touch me.

It's better this way.

Fine. Please take out
the remaining things.

Let's go, children.
Cheerfully!

We are crossing the field,
the field,

we are crossing the field...

And the clouds are crossing
the sky, the sky,

and the clouds are crossing
the sky...

Serbia was soon to be conquered

by Austro-Hungary,
Germany and Bulgaria.

Serbian king, army,
Government

and a part of the people
saved themselves

by retreating through
the mountains of Albania.

Lea and Filip were to be
transferred first to Corsica,

and then, with their group of
pupils, to the south of France.

Until the end of the WWI,
they held classes regularly,

at the Bellevue Inn
in the town of Antibes.

After liberation, Lea
and Filip returned to Belgrade

and had a daughter, Milena.

They never saw Azem again,

who quit being
the school attendant

and continued to live
in his family cooperative.

Lieutenant Jevrem Stoiljkovic was

killed northeast from
Skadar

shielding the withdrawal of
Serbian troops through Albania.

English translation:

Marija Stojanovi�
Ellen Elias-Bursa�

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