Original subtitles

EIGHT HOURS DON'T MAKE A DAY

A FAMILY SERIES

IRMGARD AND ROLF

Interesting.

Not bad. - Really?

Not bad at all.

WESTHOVEN TOOL FACTORY

We've kept this quiet for a while now,

but you do of course understand that it will cause a stir when it comes out.

But it's going to the works council now.

It will be quite an adjustment for some. Westhoven is quite far out of town.

And that makes the site cheaper.

Your travel time will change significantly as well, won't it?

Come in.

- Yes, I - - Yes?

Bertram.

- That can't be true. - Would I lie to you?

- No, but... - But you just said it's not true.

I didn't say it's not true.

I said it can't be true. - But it is true.

“Westhoven machine facility, tool factory.”

I can read, can't I? - No one doubts that.

Anyone doubt Manfred can read? - Stop the stupid jokes. This is serious.

- Where is Westhoven? - In the west, of course.

But that should've been...

They should've told us that long ago, all the same.

Should've. All the same.

You're acting as if you know nothing at all.

Vvesthoven. I might just lose my mind.

Well, in my case, if it's true -

Westhoven is very conveniently located.

Well, in that case -

If it's convenient for you, why are we getting worked up?

Seriously now. They have to at least notify the works council of that.

They'll be sure to do that.

When nothing can be done about it, no later.

Westhoven.

Did you say Westhoven? - Yes. Do I have a speech defect?

- Let me talk to her. - She's with a customer.

- I don't care. Let me speak to her. - He's having a fit. Calm him.

- I'm not having a fit at all. - Darling?

Please tell your friend I'm not having a fit at all.

I'm to tell you he's not having a fit at all. Is that all?

Have you signed the apartment contract?

Oh, that. Of course. I did it this morning.

Great.

Yeah, it wasn't so easy with that guy. I had to really talk him into it.

Oh, well, I'm a good talker.

But he still insisted on a five-year contract.

But I thought, “Oh, well, five years isn't forever.”

And it does have an extra bedroom and -

They're moving the tool factory to Westhoven.

Great. And more than one child, I mean -

What did you say?

They're moving our plant to Westhoven.

To Westhoven?

Hold on.

- That's on the other side of town! - That's What I'm saying.

I really can't rely on you at all. Not one bit. Bye!

Of course a contract's a contract.

Yes, I know that.

I was just asking. You never know, do you?

Thanks.

Nothing doing.

Shit!

- Nothing's official yet, but - - What do you mean “official”?

From what we've seen, and you should know this better than us,

this move will happen.

Exactly. They don't make a model for nothing.

They had it made for a reason.

That's right. No buts or any such thing about it.

It'll happen. Period. - Still.

We can't do anything until it's been officially announced.

And anyway, what can we do?

Well, if I may say something. This move has disadvantages for some people.

Our commute times will be much longer.

It makes a difference if I need 15 minutes or an hour.

I'll say.

Some of us will have to find new apartments.

If I need an hour to get to work and an hour to get back, that's two hours a day.

That'd be totally nuts. And I won't get a place as cheap as mine.

Or I buy a car, which costs money too. - It's the same for me.

Or worse. I'm paying off my house. I can give it away if this move happens.

My journey will be 90 minutes.

But what should I do? What? Should I go complain?

Maybe.

Maybe we really should complain.

Everyone has adapted their life according to their place of work.

I mean...

I could've gone to Müller-Scherz, for example.

But I went to Sticking because of its location.

It's as simple as that.

And what good will it do us to complain?

If the move has already been decided, it won't do us any good.

There are limits. They'll laugh like crazy if I go to them.

They'll say, “We're sorry about your travel time,

but this is about the economic situation.

The site issue is purely economic.

Human factors must unfortunately take a back seat.”

Can't you demand they supply you with cars or provide new apartments?

That'd be nice, but hopeless. That will never happen.

I don't get this whole thing at all, to be honest.

I mean, they expect you to work there for them.

That's right, isn't it? - Sure.

Without us, they'd be in a fix.

Well, then.

Then they should offer you something

in return for you working in a place you don't want to work in.

Offer us what?

- There's plenty you don't like at work. - I'll say.

Then you make a list of the things you'd like to have changed.

Then say, “Okay, we'll go there.

Then it's worth accepting the inconveniences.”

And maybe we can still demand certain benefits as well.

I think we can make demands too.

- And how do we do that? - How do we do what?

Well, the list and all.

I don't know that either. How do you do something like that?

What is it we're unhappy with?

The toilets, for example, or...

I think it's best we each sit down at home, think it over, and write something down.

Yes, everyone thinks of something, and then we make a list.

And we go from there.

In any case, this will be interesting.

Well...

- Pardon? - I said, “Well.” “Well” is all I said.

Right.

Do you think we'll really achieve anything?

I mean, that they'll accept our demands.

Possibly. Anything's possible.

I mean, we've learned that we have more power than we think, right?

Yeah. It seems that way.

Nonetheless, I think...

it has to end somewhere.

Okay, it has to end somewhere, sure.

But, I mean, you have to find out just where it ends -

where and why.

Come here.

Should we start arranging things now, or not?

I don't know. The mattress is enough for me now. And you?

Me?

I'm with you.

What more could I want?

All right then, number one - improving the cafeteria food.

Two - a more effective ventilation system.

Three - a pay phone solely for our department.

Four- a new type of locker with two sections,

one for work clothes and one for other clothes.

Five - better upkeep of the toilets.

Six - a coffee vending machine and soda vending machines.

Seven - a small cold-water pool to soak in after showering.

Eight - new work clothes every six months paid for by the company.

That's everything pertaining to the workplace.

Plus four items concerning new apartments and transportation.

One - the company should procure new apartments for those who want them

in the districts around Westhoven.

Two - it should pay building subsidy fees or advance rent payments.

Three - for an interim period of six months,

affected workers should be paid for 30 minutes of their work commute each way.

Four - a bus service from the city center to and from Westhoven should be set up.

That's it.

Should we give this to the works council for them to pass on?

Well...

It's quite a lot.

But, to tell the truth, it's not really anything at all.

Exactly.

The first eight items are basically givens.

And, as demands, they're pretty childish.

But I couldn't think of anything else.

It sure is strange.

There are lots of things that don't suit us.

That means I'm never actually really happy. What about you guys?

- Probably no one is. - Exactly, probably no one.

But when you try to think of specific things that would make you happier,

you can't think of anything but trifles, like a toilet.

Honest. I tried really hard.

I thought and thought about it, but -

I can't think of anything either.

Something isn't right.

It's like a part of your brain shuts down.

We're all too mixed up in it.

Probably.

The way things are is so ingrained in us

that we can't imagine things being any other way.

- Did you think of something? - No.

But I did look and find letter. - What letter?

From workmate in Italy. I'll try translating.

- When foreigners are allowed to think. - Shut it.

“And then, on fifth day of strike,

after we stayed in plant the whole time

and only stood around and talked,

we then got bored at some point or other.

We then began to work.

We did what we wanted.

And after few hours,

we had many more results than when everything organized.

We worked, we were having fun,

and the outcome was more than when commanded.”

What?

You look at me like idiot. Did I do something wrong?

No way.

That's the idea of the decade. That's the idea of the century.

By the way, we've now made a list of nine demands.

We'll try to push them through. - What are they?

Well,

little things like toilets and stuff, but that's just one part of it.

And we want a say in how the machines are arranged in relation to each other

and which machines we buy,

because we have experience that engineers don't have.

And then -

And this is the decisive point.

We want to organize our work ourselves.

- What's that? - You heard right.

We want to organize our own work. - That's a joke.

It's no joke at all. On the contrary.

Experiences in America and Italy have shown

that workers who are allowed to work at their own pace actually produce more.

More. Do you understand?

There's one more thing.

If we produce faster than production-planning estimates...

then we want a cut of the additional profit.

You're all nuts. You'll never manage that. Never.

Why ever not? It sounds quite sensible.

Grandma, please. How would you know what works in a factory?

Now just think about it.

Let's say you want to chop wood.

Someone comes to you and tells you how to chop the wood and when to chop it.

You won't feel like doing it, and you'll do it grudgingly.

But if you're allowed to chop the wood how you want and whenever you want,

you'll start chopping merrily away and do it faster.

Am I right? Or am I wrong?

That's about right.

Now just think about it. Why does production planning even exist?

Why do you think? Because it's necessary.

That's your error - thinking everything that exists is necessary.

That's not true. On the contrary.

It's late. I have to go.

- Where is it you're going? - Oh, you know.

- Oh, it's a secret. - Not exactly, but...

- But you'd rather not talk about it. - That's right.

Bye. - Bye.

Come on, I'll see you out.

Well, you'll never manage it.

- You're being negative. - I'm not. I'm realistic.

- Probably because you've stopped thinking. - I think way more than you.

You couldn't even reason out what we were just saying.

You have no idea. No idea about a thing.

Like you even have an idea what I have an idea about.

Gregor!

Bring me a shot too.

Honey, how do you know I'm having a shot?

Cheers!

To my ideas.

Well, I...

Management has just given me the task of informing you

that our machine factory will be moving to Westhoven.

The works council knows and will talk to you.

To Westhoven? Is that right?

Yes.

I don't know anything more myself right now.

But I'd ask you to let the workers know.

All right then.

- And what is this supposed to mean? - Well...

There are things between heaven and earth...

Yes, it appears there are.

Right.

Here we go.

Right. I think I've got them all.

I can't wait to see how he reacts.

- You can say that again. - Twenty-one. Everyone.

Who's going? - I don't mind going.

Me either. Right then, let's go.

Come in.

All right, we -

We...

If the toolmaking plant is going to move to Westhoven, we have -

- We have - - Yes.

- Nine demands. - Yes, we have.

Well.

Then let me hear them,

your nine demands.

Yes, all right. Number one.

Yes.

I'm guessing this is a bad joke, if I'm not entirely mistaken.

You're entirely mistaken.

It's no joke. And it's certainly not a bad one.

We ask that this list be passed along. - Please, gentlemen.

You're making total fools of yourselves.

The first items may be negotiable. I'm sure the works council has begun that.

But this? I mean -

This can only be a joke.

You will pass it on. The works council already has it.

The men upstairs will get it from the council too.

And, believe us,

we'll make sure this “joke,” as you call it,

is seriously discussed.

We'll make very sure of that.

And...

I think you know what I mean.

Yes, and tell them... we mean this very seriously.

Interesting, don't you think?

Very interesting.

Didn't you recently say these were good men?

Yes, I said that.

But this here, this is a joke.

Really.

A joke? You think so?

I see it entirely differently. That is, a little bit differently.

People will bite off a bit more than they can chew, but only a bit more.

That's what everyone who wants something does.

But, in principle -

It may be warranted. - You can't be serious.

Oh, yes, I can.

Look.

The workers are asking for the right

to independently organize the work process

in relation to a given work contract.

It is easy to imagine...

that the workers, along with their colleagues,

know more about the work than we do, as people who are on the outside.

It's certainly true that self-organization of the work process

can lead to better results than a purely top-down model.

And that's what they're banking on - on savings, on additional profit.

They want 50 percent of that.

That means they're banking on the added profit.

They see to their accounts. I see to the company's.

If both sides win, what can be the harm?

I'll have someone go over the numbers.

At any rate, it is very interesting.

Thank you.

No need.

What's wrong with him?

God, you're insensitive.

- What am I? -Insensitive.

That sounds like an insult.

It is.

He's lovesick.

What's that?

It's when you love somebody, yet nothing comes of it.

Who is it he loves?

Your sister.

That old story.

Maybe he should just ask for her hand.

- Maybe he lacks the courage to do that. - Then you go encourage him.

- If you help me out. - Who, me?

Well, you know...

I...

- Coward. - Yes, that's the right word.

Besides, as a woman, you...

You know what, I think I'll go to the toilet.

Well, I don't know about kids. I'm not real big on them.

No? Well, I can't understand that at all.

Really? I think little babies are so sweet.

Really? They're always so ugly.

That's not true at all. On the contrary, they're so sweet.

If you say so.

- So, comrade, what's up? - Are you nuts?

I need to have a man-to-man with you.

I keep looking at you and thinking...

“You need to have a talk with him.

A heart-to-heart.”

I see you've lost your mind. But go on, continue.

- You're in love, aren't you? - No.

How do you know that?

I'm just sensitive.

- Oh, yeah? - Yep.

And?

- And what? - You came here to say something.

Men are a bit more direct. And you're a man, right?

I sure am.

Well, I'd go up to the woman I adore, and I would say...

I'd say...

What would I say?

You'd say, “Will you be my wife?”

- How do you know that? - I'm just sensitive.

Hey, man. Now that's exactly it.

I go to her and say...

What was it again? -“Will you be my wife?”

Right. Bye.

- Hey. - Yeah?

Here. Maybe this will help a little.

Thanks.

- Hey. - What?

- I said, “Hey.” - Hey?

- Where are you off to? - Will you be my wife?

- No. - Why ever not?

I can feed you, I'm pleasant to be with, I'm understanding, and -

Oh, you idiot.

Yes, you're sensitive.

That's the whole trick.

- Good evening. I'm a bit late. Sorry. - It doesn't matter.

I feel it in my bones. Something will happen today.

- You're nuts. - Don't bad-mouth my bones.

They're all right. - And did you have a dream about this?

No, actually not.

- But I did. - What's that?

Honest.

I dreamt everything turned out well. - What did I say? My bones.

You're all crazy. That's what I say.

Hello, Foreman. - Hello.

We're to go see Dr. Bertram. The reps and I are to see him.

- Who? - You, Jochen, and I.

You're the reps, right?

Yes, well...

I mean, maybe - - Maybe what?

You know. Right to Dr. Bertram?

- What about your bones? - Sure, they -

They're feeling pretty good, but... - Come on. Don't make such a fuss.

What's the worst that can happen? - Yes, what can happen?

It might just happen that -

That can't happen.

Nothing can happen.

Yes.

I assume you wrote this list.

Well...

Actually...

We all came up with it together.

All of us thought of something. Using our heads, you know?

That's right. We all thought it up.

Yes, and it was me who wrote it down.

Yes.

When I look at your list of demands,

I see it breaks down into two parts, strictly speaking.

- Strictly speaking, yes. - And, concerning the first pan...

management and the works council should sit down and discuss it calmly.

But...

the second part...

I'd like to deal with that myself. I find it very interesting.

Pardon?

Yes, extremely so. Were you expecting something else?

In all honesty, yes.

We expected lots of resistance and that...

That we'd have to fight for it.

- That's what we thought. - Well.

It won't be necessary for you to fight for it.

As a matter of fact, I am convinced that a majority of your plan is doable.

I'd even propose that we try out some aspects of it

here in the old toolmaking facility.

If that's in your interest. - In our interest?

That would be fantastic. Fantastic.

Oh, man! - Now don't start crying tears of joy.

I mean...

you have your own reasons.

Of course. I wouldn't take up the issue if I didn't have my own reasons.

Well then...

I propose you discuss specifics with your colleagues,

and then we'll go ahead and jump in at the deep end.

Of course.

And thanks a lot.

- Thank you. - No need to thank me.

Really.

Just to be clear, my attitude has nothing to do with sentiment.

I have my interests, you have yours. That's it.

Good-bye.

Good-bye. - Good-bye.

I'd have to travel across the entire city.

- Or buy a car. - Sure, if that's all.

- Saving helps. - It's just about okay for me.

And I have to - Just wait.

- No more cycling to work. - A motorcycle.

- You have the best ideas. - I know.

Are there schools and kindergartens out there?

No clue. But I do know there's a cemetery.

Then we're all taken care of, right?

It's way too far from the station.

- You can't do without it, huh? - No. Why?

The trains are already too full. They'll have more space without you.

Thanks a lot.

- Do you know what you'll do? - No idea. My wife wants to stay in the city.

I can either commute for two hours every day or get a divorce.

- It's probably less painful. - What?

- A divorce, of course. - But I love my wife.

Sure, don't we all?

Still, this whole thing is pretty shitty.

Well?

- No. - Yes.

- What? - What “what”?

I mean, what happened?

- Want to? - You go ahead.

Right then, Dr. Bertram thinks our plan is... interesting.

- Very interesting. - That's right.

Very interesting.

And Dr. Bertram thinks we should try it out here in this workplace.

- Try out what? - Organizing our own work and such.

- That can't be true. - But it is.

- Oh, man! - That's what I said.

- What? - Oh, man!

Well, then...

I believe this is a chance, a real chance.

When I imagine -

I can't even really imagine it.

Doing what's necessary instead of what's dictated.

Doing what I think is necessary.

Somethings finally happening. This makes a difference.

Actually,

somehow it's crazy.

Hey. We have to drink to that.

- You know what? - No, but you're sure to tell me.

That's true. The best place for us is your parents' apartment.

It's a bit too big perhaps.

One, two, three...

four rooms.

Oh, well. - And the kitchen is pretty large.

Yes, a kitchen-living area. It's basically another room.

And the bathroom.

And we can rearrange it.

I love you. - Love you more.

- Of course, we'd have to get housemates. - Pardon?

We'll rent out two rooms. That's socially minded.

Socially minded?

To whom?

To lrmgard, for example.

Over my dead body.

Why? She's really been okay recently.

Come on.

Pretty, pretty please.

And the other to Rolf. - That's pimping.

- Why? - Because it is.

What a stupid word. It'll be good for them.

If it's good for them, it's pimping.

- Are you nuts? - Of course.

Hey, hold on.

I just thought of something. - What's that?

- My parents might want to keep the place. - Do you really think so?

I didn't think of that at all. Strange.

There's always some problem or other.

We have to persuade them. - You know how stubborn Dad is.

We'll have to be clever about it.

You know what, Dad,

it would really be much more convenient for us - for Marion and me.

You two can live anywhere.

I thought you could take our place. It's plenty big.

Plus, it's 50 marks cheaper.

After all, 50 marks is nothing to scoff at.

Yes, yes. Fifty marks, mind.

You're stubborn! You're so stubborn!

Oh, it's you. I was practicing, you know, because we...

We want to trade apartments with Jochen's parents.

Good idea, right? - Yes, if they agree.

It's sensible, my dear fellow.

- Your sister has a lover. - No.

- Yes. - How's that?

She's a grown woman.

What does that mean? Who's grown up?

- If you put it that way... - See.

I've watched him pick her up twice.

- What? You spied on them? -“Spied on them.”

I saw them just by chance.

Or almost by chance.

I mean, I didn't spy on them. I just saw them.

And...

What kind of guy is he? - What do I know?

Just some guy. He looks like -

He looks like any old guy. He wears a suit and tie and...

Tough luck for me. That's just how it is. - What do you think?

Me?

No idea. What should I think?

We have to go to your parents' anyway. We can check out what's up with Monika.

Today?

Why so soon?

Coward?

- I am a coward. - True.

Okay, I'm not a coward. Let's go. Your wish is my command.

Strange. Every man reacts to being called a coward.

Your daughter's dolling herself up again.

- So? - She's tying up the bathroom.

- I'm nearly done, Dad. - You've been saying that for half an hour.

- What do you need it for? - To wash my hands.

- But only whenever someone's in there. - That's slanderous.

- You can wash them in the kitchen. - He's in there now.

The hard soap in the kitchen damages my skin.

- Silly. - You know nothing about personal care.

- But you do? - More than you.

So tell me, what's with her anyway? - Who?

- Your daughter. - Why?

Because“.

She keeps primping-

- Ask. You're not usually so tactful. - That's an insult. You're her mother.

- Monika. - Yes?

Your father wonders why you keep primping.

Tell him I wouldn't ask him why he wears French briefs.

Your daughter! Yet another example.

And I only have one pair of French underpants.

Grandma gave them to me.

Tell her that.

I'm to tell you he only has one pair of French underpants

and that Grandma gave them to him.

Now she's not listening.

I'm supposed to ask you if you were listening.