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WILD BUNCH GERMANY PRESENTS

A NETWORK MOVIE FILM PRODUCTION

A SENATOR FILM KÖLN PRODUCTION

IN CO-PRODUCTION WITH ZDF

SUPPORTED BY FILM-UND MEDIASTIFTUNG NRW

FILMFÖRDERUNG HAMBURG SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN

FILMFÖRDERUNGSANSTALT

DEUTSCHER FILMFÖDERFONDS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

COMMISSIONER FOR CULTURE AND MEDIA

BASED ON THE BESTSELLING NOVEL BY SIEGFRIED LENZ

THE JOYS OF DUTY

Siggi Jepsen.

Siggi Jepsen?

Any questions?

Siggi?

Close the door.

THE GERMAN LESSON

Get undressed.

Turn around.

GERMAN ESSAYS BY SIGGI JEPSEN

"THE JOYS OF DUTY"

- Is Max there? - Down by the moat.

Come on, Siggi.

Jens?

Is it something from the capital?

I'll go on to the moat.

- Jens. - Max.

It's looking a little rage, right?

You're to read this at once.

It's all perfectly clear, Jens.

Except for the signature. The signature is illegible.

They have a lot that needs signing.

Hmm.

Painting prohibited, working prohibited.

Eating prohibited, drinking prohibited.

No one can sign his name legibly, to something like that.

The prohibition is to be enforced

by the recipient that is informed.

Yes, so it says.

I am not the one who had the idea.

I just had the bear the message.

The prohibition is pronounced and in force.

Yes, but... only in the capital, Jens.

I've been ordered to make sure the ban on painting

is maintained.

I'm nearest to you.

POLICE STATION RUGBÜLL

- Not that one. - They say these pictures are sick.

No, not my painting!

Cut it out.

Cut it out!

There, take it to my office.

Go on!

Father said something about sick pictures.

Hmm?

I'm going down to the water.

You're hardly back and you leave again.

See you.

Hilke!

Siggi, go home.

Siggi!

No!

- Tell us what it's called? - "Laughing Gulls on Duty."

You're not allowed to paint.

Open up!

Open it up!

Siggi!

Down with your pants.

Hm.

Bend over.

Turn around.

What do you have to say?

I have to be at home when there's a thunderstorm.

That's your mother's wish, and mine as well.

And not enjoying thunderstorms!

Useful people must comply, my boy.

We'll turn you into something useful.

Has he been working, the painter?

I asked you something.

Was he painting?

Gulls.

He painted seagulls.

Gulls?

Mm-hmm.

And every gull looked like you.

We're going to work together, Siggi.

Nobody's a match for the two of us.

Not even him.

You will work for me,

and I'll make something useful out of you.

Oh, Siggi.

Does your father know you're here?

Mm-mm.

They think painting is dangerous.

They think...

that I am dangerous, Siggi.

I!

Shall we paint together?

Hm?

- Mm-hmm. - But you mustn't tell anyone.

You promise me that?

Here we are.

There.

This one is for the outlines.

And then we take care of the colors.

Where have the people gone?

Are they dead?

Certainly not.

Your father won't be able to harm me, Siggi.

I'm not painting.

You were at the painter's pretty long.

And? Was he painting?

No.

What were you doing the whole time?

I was painting.

What was the painter doing?

He was teaching me.

He was teaching you what?

How to paint pain.

You're supposed to watch him,

but I don't want you to paint there, Siggi.

Hilke?

Siggi.

Where have the people from the empty house gone?

What makes you ask that?

Where have they gone?

Somewhere nicer than here.

And where is that?

Where it's nicer?

Push harder, Siggi.

Max, Ditte said the people you've spent

so many years with,

you have to drink a toast to your birthday with them.

And...

we must stick together after all, us from Glüserup.

Yep!

What rubbish we came up with together, right, Jens?

A crafty pair of rascals we were, the two of us.

And we both had an eye on that Gudrun of yours back then,

do you remember that?

You chose him even though I painted you

in the most beautiful colors.

But you were from different stock.

Young, sturdy, handsome.

Three children have resulted from your marriage,

whom I've become very attached to.

Klaas,

your eldest, who is out there

hoping to bring honor to the Fatherland.

Our lovely Hilke,

and Siggi of course, my godchild.

But don't anybody get me wrong here,

Gudrun was long before Ditte,

my wonderful singer from Flensburg,

who gave up everything for me.

Her profession, concerts.

Ditte is the woman I love.

And not just because she's good at baking cake.

You have been with me at my side for 20 years.

And I thank you for putting up with me.

Unwaveringly.

Especially now.

Ah, yes...

Thank you all for coming

to honor this old brute. Prost everyone!

- Prost! - Prost.

Prost!

Usually I prefer...

to let Max talk. He's better at it.

But I think today I shall say a few words as well.

Max, when I saw your paintings for the first time,

I was so...

Moved.

I thought to myself, I want him or no one.

And for you, I gladly gave up singing.

No, don't look so modest.

You're a great painter.

One of the greatest of our time. And you come from Glüserup.

And further more, you're a kind person,

but you all know him.

Max isn't one to watch when someone is drowning.

He wouldn't do that.

And so I hope all the more

that none of us ever let you go under,

should you someday fall into cold water.

So you can speak to us through your painting,

for a long time to come.

Max, I... I came up with a special

birthday present for you, as well.

Do you remember, Jens,

when we were young?

I think we should sing together once more today.

You know,

our song.

- Come on, please? - Jens.

Father, sing with Ditte.

♪ Five wild swans once did fly ♪

♪ Swans so radiant White and fair ♪

♪ Sing, sing what happened then? ♪

♪ None was ever seen again ♪

♪ Sing, sing what happened then? ♪

♪ None was ever seen again ♪

♪ Five young birch trees once did grow ♪

♪ Slim and lean at the forest's edge ♪

♪ Sing, sing what happened then? ♪

♪ None did ever blossom again... ♪

For you, Max. From the capital.

♪ None did ever blossom again ♪

♪ Five young boys once did go... ♪

Keep singing, Father.

- ♪ Proudly heading off to battle... ♪ - Keep singing.

♪ Sing, sing what happened then? ♪

♪ None did ever see their home again ♪

♪ Sing, sing what happened then? ♪

♪ None did ever see their home... ♪

"In compliance with the Law of Sequestration of Creations

"of Degenerate Art, we inform you that all pictures

of the past five years shall be confiscated."

"As of tomorrow."

Did you know about this?

You sing with us, and were aware of this?

Perhaps the pictures will be returned.

The Volk will examine them,

and then send them back to you.

- Do you really believe that? - I'm only doing my duty!

And if they command you to kill me,

you will do that, too.

- You can't talk to me like that. - Let me tell you something,

in front of everyone here.

Sometimes one has to do things that defies ones duty!

You want me to act against my duty!

Did you hear that?

- Do you realize what this person just said? - Jens.

You were ten when you were playing

around on that tide gate.

And what happened when you fell into the water?

Who was it who put his own life at risk to save yours, Jens?

I'm sorry, that score is settled!

I didn't give up then,

and I'm not going to give up now.

I'm not asking about the gulls.

As far as the gulls picture, that's settled, too.

But as of today on, Max, as of today...

Watch out!

Stop this!

Ditte...

The pictures have to be wrapped!

The pictures have to be delivered today.

These pictures are delicate!

Those are sick pictures, Ditte.

Don't you dare.

The pictures have to be wrapped!

Max!

- Siggi, I have to go. - Mm-mm.

- Mm-hmm. - Mm-mm.

Siggi!

Siggi!

I don't want you to go away!

I want you to stay here!

I don't want to be alone with father!

This is the aforementioned Herr Jepsen.

Siggi, tell the gentlemen the theme of you composition.

- "The Joys of Duty." - "The Joys of Duty."

When I asked him why he hadn't written a single line,

he said to me, because he had too many things to recount.

There were too many images overlapping one another,

he could not find the starting point.

I ordered a disciplinary exercise.

I would describe the way that convict Jepsen

set about his task as the ultimate sign of conformity.

But see for yourselves.

He seems to confabulate.

I'm sure delighted with his intent.

Siggi...

You have come to understand

that German lessons have to be written.

This insight was our concern, not the punishment.

You may now go back to normal detention.

That's...

That's very generous.

But I must go on writing.

I've been amply satisfied with your achievements so far.

We can waive the rest.

Gentlemen, we must carry on.

The Joys of Duty...

I want to understand them, to their full extent.

I must finish writing the story, I'm begging you!

Whom are you telling all this?

Myself.

Bring him water, he stinks.

Klaas!

I'm hiding in the dunes.

You have to bring me something to eat.

Do you hear me?

I have a hiding place.

Come on, get up.

Come on.

This is where I have to stay?

No one comes here.

They're driving to our house.

If you tell anyone, I'll beat you to death.

- Where have you been? - Out for a walk.

So early?

Your beloved brother,

of whom we were all so proud...

He shot himself in the arm.

The coward.

He would've gotten off with prison time,

but he ran away.

Anyone who helps him is liable to prosecution.

Listen, Siggi, if Klaas turns up here,

you have to report it.

Immediately.

- It's important. - He won't come here.

Where else would he go?

Have you understood?

- Did you understand me? - Yes, father.

Yes.

Where are you going?

Well, go on.

Siggi.

Dress suitably, at least.

If I stay here, I'm going to die.

Siggi.

He shot himself in the arm.

But you can't just come to me.

He has a fever.

Go home, Siggi.

And don't let on about anything.

Were you at the painter's?

Is he painting?

Want to tell me something?

Really not?

Siggi.

POLICE STATION RUGBÜLL

Get dressed, Siggi.

There, now knock.

No, please.

Go on!

It's me, Siggi.

Siggi, what's up?

I'm sorry.

It's just an old thing.

An old thing.

Siggi, come.

Jens?

What are you doing here?

He's looking for some... thing.

Is someone here?

Is there a robber in the house?

- No, there is no robber! - Be quiet!

Take a seat.

- You're making a fool of yourself. - Sit down!

Come on, Siggi. There are no pictures here.

This picture is confiscated.

Jens.

Jens, listen to me.

Yes.

Can we not even talk anymore to each other?

We've known one another long enough.

Let us stop this.

You imagine you can challenge the law,

and me.

On the floor!

Ditte!

Let's be done with this.

Who knows where we stand in one or two years.

Maybe even sooner.

You won't get away with this.

Klaas.

You have to get up!

Klaas.

Father!

Klaas!

You need to help him!

Father.

My boy, don't worry, you'll be just fine.

- Are they on their way? - No one's on their way yet.

Then...

- it's up to you now, Jens. - That's right.

If...

- there's something I can do... - Let this be my problem.

- He's something of a son to me. - I'm aware of that.

They're going to kill him. You realize that?

You should leave now.

It's in your hands now.

Now there's a witness.

We have a score to settle, so he won't hesitate...

What do you mean, father?

Police station Rugbüll.

Ditte, stop that.

Then please sit down again.

- Siggi. - They picked him up.

Shall we paint together again?

Soon red and yellow will have a dignified conversation,

before the sun disappears.

Will you give me your picture?

I will.

Thank you, son.

How is your oldest son doing, Jens?

He's in hospital.

They'll stitch him back up there.

Might I still get some tea?

With something in it?

You can even have a grog. The water's still hot.

May I ask what's in that folder?

Pictures.

I have a right to insist that you open the folder.

AT THE NORTH AND THE BALTIC SEA

It's dramatic.

Almost no refractions.

I don't see anything.

Punch me if you like I can't see anything.

The modulations aren't fully worked out yet.

What do you think?

Although, a decorative allegory.

Take a good look. You and your expert eye.

I won't have you talking to me like that,

even if you are Max Ludwig Nansen

three times over.

How do you want me to talk to you,

Jens Ole Jepsen?

Calm down, you two. You're friends.

Friends?

Are we friends, Jens?

Ah-ha!

Did he paint?

What do you say?

- Hinnerk, what do you say? - I'm not saying anything.

This is hereby confiscated.

You know my duties.

A sunset like that, is a very dangerous matter.

Siggi.

Ten.

You are not to blame, my boy.

Will you take care of Ditte?

Are you coming back?

Goodbye, Siggi.

A nice image.

A bit too much drama.

Will you bring me something to drink?

Please please bring me the fish stock.

It's on the table next door.

A bit of wine now, please.

That will only make you thirstier.

That's what Max said.

Uh-huh.

You like Max, hmm?

The thing about the sunset...

You need to tell your father about that.

Otherwise Max will get hurt.

I have to go.

Siggi...

They'll hurt him otherwise.

I have to go, Ditte.

I... have to leave.

Hilke!

POLICE STATION RUGBÜLL

Take your satchel off.

The painter has been released.

Sit down.

You'll stand.

You're at the painter's often.

You said I...

He wanted to teach you to paint?

- Yes. - He showed you...

how one paints pain.

You enjoyed that.

Did you enjoy that?

But then I forbade you to paint at the painter's.

Did you stick to my instructions?

I can't hear you.

Yes.

So, from the very instant on that I forbade you to,

you stopped painting with the painter?

No.

What do you imagine the painter testified

over on the mainland?

Why they let him go?

Why your father is being laughed at?

- Do you have an explanation for that? - Jens...

I am asking you, if you have an explanation

for why they let the painter go,

and why your father is being laughed at?!

- Jens. - Because the picture

was crafted by a child's hands!

- By a child's hands! - Father!

Don't!

My own children,

neglecting their duty!

My own children!

Siggi!

Siggi!

Siggi!

Siggi.

My darling.

Ah!

Ugh...

Ditte's sick.

Most likely pneumonia.

She'd be so happy if you came to visit her, huh?

There. Now we're even, right?

Huh?

What did he do to you?

Ditte?

Look here, there's someone who wants to visit you.

Max?

Would you go get the cookies for Siggi?

When I'm not here anymore, Siggi, then...

you'll have to keep Max company a little bit.

Will you do that?

Where are you going?

So he doesn't get lonely.

She sewed her burial gown herself.

She always kept it near her.

Shall we put something to drink for Ditte

into her coffin, Uncle Max?

That's a good idea.

Father.

Do it for Ditte.

There's likely to be an air raid.

- They'll miss you. - Better to miss one than one too many.

FOR DITTE

Here now... Ditte Nansen, your journey,

which began in Flensburg comes to an end.

Don't stay in the garden too long!

Don't go to the beach!

You'll need to look after your voice, dear child!

We're expecting Professor Ziegel,

your singing instructor,

who wants to be proud of you.

Yes.

Our Ditte, daughter from a good family,

was a pleasure to us all in Glüserup,

who made a mark for herself with her songs.

With her warmth,

and her female humility.

One for Ditte...

And another one for Ditte?

Well, look who's here.

The English are outside Glüserup.

The order is to secure the road.

GERMAN VOLKSSTURM WEHRMACHT

Arms are ready at Rugbüll,

ammunition is counted.

All men who are fit for action

are to join me!

- We will secure the road. - We are grieving for Ditte!

This is an order from the capital.

- We will secure the road! - They can't give us any more orders.

I guess you don't know what they do with deserters?

The war is over, Jens.

The war will be over...

when we have won it.

Then shoot.

- Shoot! - Don't provoke him, Max.

Shoot!

Carry out your duty, Jens!

Go ahead and shoot.

We have to make sure the road is secure!

Leave my home and never show your face again.

It's getting a bit late.

This is a police station?

Very German.

Put that in there.

Your father always did his duty, never forget that!

- Get in. - Goodbye!

He won't back.

I'll make us breakfast, yeah?

Best wishes for your birthday.

Welcome to reaching adulthood.

Those from my mother always itched as well.

This is from your sister.

What would you do if you were told,

"Siggi, if you hand in your project tomorrow,

we'll release you"?

You'll be a free man.

I'd have to hand it in?

Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is too early.

If your chums out there took their joys of duty

as seriously as you and I do,

the world would be in fine shape, Siggi.

I have something up my ass. Search me!

Get on with it! Come on!

Hilke! On your way into town?

You've grown a lot,

Siggi.

Hello.

Yes...

Here I am again.

I've waited so long for this day.

Siggi.

Will you wash my back?

Please.

Wash my back.

Hilke? Bring us his picture.

Get the picture.

Klaas, the photograph.

Do as I say.

Why do you want the picture?

- I'm sorry? - What do you want the picture for?

You about to find out.

Sit down.

It's time to make a clean sweep.

We all know what you did.

We must put an end to this matter.

And...

arrive at a verdict.

In this house from now on,

the name Klass shall never be uttered again.

We will erase him from out recollection.

So... office hours.

Father?

This is sick, Siggi.

Well? What's wrong?

The painting ban has been lifted.

You can't confiscate things anymore.

You can't cart things away anymore, either.

Burning pictures that's...

a thing of the past.

Do you understand, Father?

What do you say? You have it all worked out.

You might also be aware then

that one has to stay true to oneself.

That one has to do one's duty

even if the circumstances change.

I mean, a conscious duty.

Feel free to let him know.

You can operate against me.

I dealt with your brother,

dealing with you, will be nothing.

Where's the picture?

Hmm.

- Where is the picture? - Which picture?

Didn't you destroy it?

Yes.

It was sick.

Siggi.

Siggi! Wake up, there's a fire!

- Where? - I don't know.

Siggi!

- Siggi. - Siggi!

- Siggi! - No!

- Siggi! - No!

- Calm down, Siggi. - Easy now.

Hilke, Siggi!

EXHIBITION BY MAX LUDWIG NANSEN

He needed a model, that's all there was to it.

You know full well what happened between him and me!

Yes, father, I do, but those times are over.

He painted this picture so anyone could recognize you!

He's making me the local laughing stock!

I don't know what you are getting so worked up about.

- It's like going to the doctor. - You showed yourself to him.

You offered yourself to him.

I'm not the one who's responsible for your misery.

Join me, Siggi.

I have something to take care of.

Don't do anything silly.

Bye, Hilke.

- Where's the picture? Bring it here. - Which picture?

Bring the picture and it's all taken care of.

- You know what I mean. The Dancer. - It she gone?

Do you even recall them carted off my pictures?

I didn't think I'd ever have to experience that again.

There's nothing I can do.

POLICE STATION RUGBÜLL

You've grown up a lot.

My, my.

Who would ever have thought

we'd meet in this house again of all places, right?

Let's get to the point, Siggi.

Pictures have disappeared from Max Ludwig Nansen's studio.

Ten in total.

Do you have anything to do with this?

No.

I do not.

We are talking about a felony here.

Something one goes to prison for.

Yes?

We're going to catch you.

I did everything I could

to make a useful person out of you.

Apparently there are people who burn pictures.

Are they useful?

Would you care to you tell us when you painted all of this?

You must've dug yourself in somewhere, am I right?

Chapeau!

Ladies and gentlemen,

please help me welcome our friend,

the famous painter, Max Ludwig Nansen.

It brings me never ending joy to be able to present to you

an all new collection of unique master pieces

by which is represented by expressionist art.

Bringing to the stage for the first time,

in my humble gallery.

Bravo!

- Stop! - Stop!

Stop, Siggi! Wait!

Hey! Hey!

You need someone to help you, my boy.

A FILM BY CHRISTIAN SCHWOCHOW

WRITTEN BY HEIDE SCHWOCHOW

BASED ON THE BESTSELLING NOVEL "GERMAN LESSON"

BY SIEGFRIEND LENZ PUBLISHED BY HOFFMANN UND CAMPE

PRODUCERS JUTTA LIECK-KLENKE, DIETRICH KLUGE, ULF ISRAEL

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY FRANK LAMM

EDITOR JENS KLÜBER

PRODUCTION DESIGN BY TIM PANNEN

COSTUM FRAUKE FIRL

MAKE-UP ASTRID WEBER, HANNAH FISCHLEDER

CASTING ANJA DIHRBERG, PATRICK DREIKAUSS

MUSIC LORENZ DANGEL

ORIGINAL SOUND JÖRG KIDROWSKI

SOUND DESIGN RAINER HEESCH, TOBIAS FLEIG

SOUND MIX BRUNO TARRIÈRE

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MARC GABIZON

COMMISSIONING EDITOR DANIEL BLUM

LINE PRODUCERS ROGER DAUTE, REIK MÖLLER

PRODUCTION MANAGER FLORIAN HOLZAPFEL

POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR ARNE MÖLLER

ARTWORK DARIUS GHANAI

COLORIST FELIX HÜSKEN

VISUAL EFFECTS SUPERVISOR THOMAS LOEDER