Original subtitles

No End

This call is monitored

The time is 7.12 am.

| died...

..four days ago

| got the car out, as usual

| waited in it for Ula and Jacek

The engine ticked over. The radio forecast a low

I felt a stab of fear. My heart, | thought

But the pain never came. All I felt was fear

1 took a deep breath

And that was that

1 wondered if the melons on the balcony would ever sprout

By now Ula had emerged with Jacek

She walked towards the car but | moved away

| saw her having trouble with the car door

But it was like looking down

That seemed strange

After all, | was sitting at the wheel

I felt good. Everything was so peaceful...

..and quiet

Though Ula seemed to be shouting

| didn't feel dizzy after my first cigarette

I couldn't feel the keys in my pocket

It struck me | could come back to myself if | wanted to...

...and drive Jacek to school

But I felt better as | was, much better

1 watched the coffin being closed

It was then that Jacek understood, because he began to cry

His hands were frozen

But he was ashamed to put them in his pockets

1 went back home. It was still empty

Darek's dossier was lying on the desk

I wished | could be with him in court

1 only saw Ula and Jacek after they got back

They fell asleep together on his bed

He clung to her for a long time

She woke up in the night and moved to her own bed

Uia? Tomek here

-I'm in Warsaw, just landed - Where?

At Okecie. I hope I'm in time to catch the Counsellor

- He's not here At 7.30? You two spiit up?

Is that the alarm? How's that for timing?

Antek is dead

The funeral was yesterday. Call me later

- Don't talk about it at school -I won't

I'll come straight home

You'll be here, won't you? We'll see each other

Is that Mrs Zyro?

! have to see you, about my husband

Hello? I said | need to see you

- Who are you? -I'm Darek's wife

Your husband was his lawyer. You must know that

It's a political case. 1 must see you

Call the office

I'm not a lawyer. I'm sending them all the files

That's the point

It's about Thursday's biology. You asked me to...

The line is crossed. Hello?

You must have Darek's file. Hello?

Waiting for me?

| called this morning. Wake up, Sylwia

- 1 took some milk - All right, come in

How can | help you?

- As | said, | need that file - What file?

My husband's case

| can't give it to you

Why won't you help me?

It belongs to the new lawyer

Those are the rules. Don't you know?

Files get lost. No one knows how

But you don't care

Come on, Sylwia

Madam, you said it was a political case

That's right

1 shouldn't, but if the file is here...

...I'll let you see it

Is she thirsty? Bored?

No, she likes listening to grown-ups' talk

- Nothing here - Should there be?

1 wouldn't know. No, nothing

- What did he do? - A strike. He organised a strike

Who'll take the case now?

Maybe someone like your husband?

I can't think of anyone. Wait, though...

There's this old lawyer Antek trained under

- Old? - Yes

He was at the funeral. His name is Labrador

Maybe he's still in the lawyers' directory

Go to Dept.4. They'll tell you

I'd like to know who the judge is. 'Bye, thank you

Sorry to keep you. How can | help you?

Mrs Zyro told me you've rescued lots of people. That you could help me

Those were different cases

My last political case was in 1952

He got death

After that, | quit

Now I do petty crime

That woman won't be testifying. She's still abroad

Tell our client to remain silent

Take a taxi. I'll pay you back

Smuggling offences. I'm strong on those

| steer clear of politics

Have you heard of this case?

A hot potato, like all of them

You're making an old man face a hard choice

Not me, the times

I'm quite aware of the present time

But what to do about it?

Got the time?

A quarter past one

Damn it, my watch!

It's stopped. Know how | got it?

A present from Antek when he was called to the bar

Let me sleep on this

Call me tomorrow

- Heard the news? - What news?

They've done it. The scrap-heap at 70

It's gone through?

It will. You can bet on it

We're finished

What can we do?

Guess what? We've been given our marching orders

Come January and we're out!

So I've heard

But this charade... how about that for an ending?

A kind of swan song

People sometimes go crazy, madam

You needn't call me

I'll take the case. Are you free tomorrow at 4?

Who are you calling, mum?

No one. | was going to, but | forgot who

- Looking for something? - No

Just sorting things out

A man called earlier

Funny name. Gibraltar...

That's right. He asked about some file

| know. I'll turn out your light when I go to bed

- Jacek? Good night - Good night, mum

Antek!

He was in the car, waiting. I'd been on the phone

Maybe if I hadn't been late

- A heart is a heart - But it can't be a coincidence

- You couldn't have helped - I'd have been there

Don't think about it

What can | think about?

You're still young. You've a nice kid. You're a good translator

Ulka, you and Antek weren't very close lately

That's true. But now it seems we were

Does that make sense?

He's gone

Tomek... ten years ago you were close friends

Later, too

1 know, but when we first met...

Did you know about certain photographs of me?

In the nude? He told me

- Showed you? - Of course not

- How did he find out? - A "well-wisher" sent them

| found them yesterday. He'd cut out my face

He knew I'd been a guide, and hard up for money

1 could have explained

Why didn't he say anything?

Why did he cut out my face?

- Did he have many such cases? - Recently, yes

- What's this? - A note

That's what his wife must have been looking for

"I'm glad you're defending me

"You're young and you understand. The first in a month

"You're right about having to return to society...

"...but with honour

"I'll do as you say

"No politics. But I'll admit to being a strike leader

"They trusted me though | hadn't been in Solidarity

"| wanted to settle grievances, not to wreck the machinery

"I'm worried about my family

"Tell Joanna not to take Sylwia to dad

"Best wishes from me and my cellmates. Darek

"I'm glad you don't want me to act insane"

Who'll take this?

I've been away too long. Otherwise | might myself

-1 put her on to Labrador - He won't take it

He already has

What's this?

The question mark. Is it yours?

By Labrador's name

You poked around in daddy's things

- No. When? - Yesterday

You scrawled something...

..with a felt-tip. Don't lie!

You're lying

You know I'm not lying

I'm going to Praga. Want to come?

No. Give me the keys. I'll stay at home

Wait a second

It's Antek's wife

- What did they take? - Guess!

Contraband books. You had some lying around

Yes, | was reading Brandys

- Notebooks? - Yes

Any cassettes?

They took them all. Plus a typewriter, letters...

- From Maciek - Did you have any notes?

Some English notes

I bet you didn't get a receipt

- 1 was too scared to ask - Show me

"I hereby request the return...

"...of the property confiscated in the search..."

Search?

Requisition. They hate the word 'search'

And 'request'? What are you requesting? Right?

- Won't it be impolite? - Why shouldn't it be?

Give me some paper. I'll do it

- What's happened? - ... my car broke down

Remember this? | showed it to you

The list of lawyers

- It wasn't torn then - What else?

- That wasn't there - Of course it wasn't

Maybe the boy...

- It couldn't have been him - Then who?

It's Antek warning me off Labrador

So what now? No, that's stupid

| must go. | may not get a taxi

- 'l go with you -1 can drop you, sir

- | have a car - No one says "sir" here

The Institute. Is that OK? I'll get ready

What Institute?

For cancer research. Radiotherapy

You looked through that file

| didn't know you. | was afraid

There was a message. Something about...

...not taking the child to see dad. I don't get it

| do

What shall | tell Darek? I'm due back soon

All you know . But remember, everything here is fine

No problems

Blackbeard!

For you

Thanks

- Drop by sometime -1 will

"I'm worried about my family

"Tell Joanna not to take Syhwia..."

You'll ruin your eyesight

Tyro did a good job on our client, didn't he?

Go away

Like some tea? At this time of day, it's...

Today? What time?

Shit!

I'll be there

Run along

Make sure the door is shut

Maybe you know what you want? To make things better?

Fairer, right?

But where?

- In Poland - Which Poland?

You don't want to talk to me?

Am | being too blunt with you?

Well then, which Poland?

- Ours. There is no other - Exactly

Socialist Poland?

Can you imagine a different Poland?

- Not really - There you are, then

The only Poland you want to make better is a Socialist Poland

And that's what you have to say

Never mind what you think

You're pending trial

Ever been in a courtroom? Judges are a fixture

They respect their job

They may be tired, but they're well aware history is like a wheel

Let's give them a chance

- Know what that means? - Yes. A sell-out

There's always some leeway between selling out and compromising, son

There is. But you have to find it

The evidence against you is thin

They're only interested in leaders. Don't make it seem...

..the strike was your idea

- It was everyone's idea - Sure, but it won't look that way

But | was elected. | had the list

Suit yourself

There's no evidence, no committee, no leader

- Is that right? - Right

Not quite, but near enough

1 told you, there's always some leeway

Now, have you ever been to a demonstration?

Once

Why only once? I'll tell you why

The opposition were wearing the same uniform you wore in the army

You wanted to take part, but couldn't

Psychiatrists call that...

Tyro was against pleading insanity

He was a wonderful man, Antek

But I'm 40 years older, and | can't do it his way

Maybe I'm past it, or less gifted

He was my pupil. Probably better than me

He was, you might say, an artist

His way shouldn't have worked, but it did

My way is to take a scalpel and hack

You two must have hit it off

Pretty well

Evidence was beneath him

So were politics

He'd appeal to people's consciences, even their emotions

But | can't take chances. I've only one objective

To get you out of here

Is there anything you need?

We're thinking of a hunger strike

What for?

Whose hands do you think you'll be playing into?

Got any better suggestions?

No, I've never been any good at these things

Forgive me, but it's warmer in here

| had a cake but I ate it

No coffee either. Tea?

No, thank you. What's this?

Antek's notes on that kid's case

Can you decipher them?

The odd word

"The law demands...

"The law demands too much of people today

"It kills what is...

"It kills what is most precious in human relationships”

This is underlined

"If the law is against loyalty and trust, then it is immoral

"No government should be...

"...should be interested in ruling over a divided nation"

Is it a question or an exclamation mark?

I never could read his writing

He wouldn't want me...

...to take this case

He wanted that boy to go free

Do you miss him?

Very much. | miss him very much

What's that?

"It's coming. It's going to erupt..."

- Want some? - No, thanks. We're listening

| took the parcel yesterday

- It's awful there - Poor old granny

First she wouldn't let me in. Then she cried

Did that girl get her things back?

- Have you got your things back? - Not yet

She took in one of the blokes. Hence the search

But they missed him

Antek put someone up once who was out after curfew

He hid him from me. Later he was afraid

- What of? -1 don't know

Someone's asking for you. He won't come in

Meet each other

- Marta Duraj - Urszula Zyro

Are you related to the lawyer Antoni Zyro?

Antek? I'm his wife

| knew him years ago

How is he?

He died...

...a month ago

- Cigarette? - Thanks

You knew him?

When he was a student.

He came round one night

A girl and | were sharing a cabin by the beach

We'd gone to bed

He'd been swimming and his tent had been stolen

He was still dripping

He sat on the bed, soaking wet

Afterwards... he stood there...

- Scrawny, bandy-legged - He wasn't bandy-legged

- He was then - Then what?

He wanted to be a judge. He was into Camus

The penitent judge...

I read it later. Was he a judge?

No, a lawyer. That's what he always wanted to be

Remember anything else?

-1 don't think so - Anything at all?

He left soon after, to do a course

That was that. Were you married long?

11 years

Along time. Was it a heart attack?

Yes. How did you know?

He mentioned his heart at the time

Everything OK?

Everything's fine

They're on hunger strike

Labrador said Antek was his own man

We'd all like to be

But Antek really was

No one told him what to do

He wrote things were getting harder

But his letters were marked 'Censored'. What's this?

A photograph. I've just found it. Ring a bell?

Summer of '67

How skinny he was!

Who are the girls?

I've forgotten

He fancied this one

- Brunette? Named Marta? - No, blonde and thin

Rather like you

We always fell for the same girls

Including you

I'm still carrying the torch

Ula, | want you to know that...

What are you looking at?

His hands are like Antek's

- You didn't hear. | said... - Don't say it

Forget | said it, then

Oh, my God!

That's my car!

Rush round to the pound. Got money?

Yes. Will you wait?

No, I'll get the bus. Off you go!

My husband died 36 days ago

There one moment... gone the next

1 assumed | loved him, on and off at any rate

The house, my work...

| had everything

But | didn't realise

| can hardly believe there were bad times, that | hated him

It's only now | realise | was happy. | can't accept it

| can't

| keep seeing him. | can't forget him

You seemed to have hands like him

You wouldn't understand. It's my problem

Sit down a moment

Goodbye

I've bought a pair of trainers for Sylwia

They were available

Who was he?

My father

Daddy!

- Where's Sylwia? - With a neighbour

| can't take it any more

Darek on one side, my father on the other

He brings me newspapers, with articles exposing them

People like Darek and me

I can't go on

Fuck the lot of them!

I'm scared, Ula

What of?

Some of them go abroad. Others die

But Darek...

He'll go to jail

- And I'll be on my own - Who has died?

Blackbeard

Two days ago

I've translated the Orwell. He wanted to read it

You don't care, do you?

You see all these tragedies, but only yours matters

Yes, you're right

Yesterday | did something bad

Very bad. | was unfaithful to Antek

But he's dead

1 don't know why | did that to him, when | can still feel his touch

| wish I could help. I have this address, at Jelonki

It's this young fellow. He helped Marta

You met her here

She was terribly hung up, and it did her good

- Want to try? - What?

To forget

That's bad news

1 want him to get out, not to starve

You'd better tell him to start eating

To take some soup at dinner, and to be the first

I'll arrange a visit

1 can go, but not to tell him that

Why not?

He'd kill me

Do you want him free?

But | won't tell him that. I'm his wife, can't you see?

Do you think it'll get to anyone?

Certainly not to those that matter

Human torches, but no water...

We've been there

Don't be stubborn. This will harm him

OK, I'll tell him. And you can go on playing the silent wife

Someone told me to show you this

Who?

They've formed a new union at the factory

- Do you know these people? - One of them. A friend of Darek's

They grew up together

Can you spare me a moment?

A client of mine's been hit with a tax claim. He bought a car abroad

What do you mean, bought? A client of yours?

It was a gift. That's tax-free

I'm only a trainee. But 1 know how you feel

Is there any way | can help?

How are you off for money?

| forgot that's why | came. I've brought your money

Keep it. | only wondered how you were managing

We could fix something

Thank you, I'm all right. Better than before

Could you lend me the paper? Give it to me?

Hello, Judge

We'll soon be meeting professionally

- That's right. How do you know? - 1 was told

But first | have some business with you

Not much

Always at your service

If you're interested, I'm hearing a fascinating case

Here's what you'll do

Go to that factory and ask that fellow if the new union...

...would be prepared to show they care about workers, even strikers...

..by standing bail for Darek

- Do you have a name? - Of course

Damn it! Where's that paper?

It was here a minute ago

It can't have vanished

- Buy another one - Newspapers now cost 5 zlotys

- Even the Party's? - All of them

Lie down, lie down

I haven't done this before

But it is possible

- Is this man alive? - Yes

But he can't be with you?

- And he never will? - Never

Good

1 shall now put you to sleep...

..and try to erase him from your memory

Please, lie down

Flat, relaxed...

..eyes open

Now look at me, and let your whole body go limp

Legs, arms, stomach, face...

Every muscle relaxed

Now lower your eyelids, gently close your eyes

You feel light, your muscles are relaxed, your eyelids refuse to open

Now raise your arm. It's light...

It takes no effort. You're asleep

Now lower your am

Gently

You can't feel your arms, your legs, or any part of your body

Your mind is blank

No longer thinking of him

Alive or dead, he's gone, no longer there

You won't want to be with him...

...See him or talk to him

You don't want to be with him

When you wake, you will have forgotten his voice, his face...

You won't want to think about him

Now I'll wake you

You're beginning to feel your body

To feel heavy

You're waking

When | count to zero, you'll wake

Five... four... three...

..[Wo... one... zero

You've woken

We may have to repeat this. Please, come again

Do you feel all right? A glass of water?

Did it help?

Yes

Mummy!

What happened, Jacek?

Had a bad dream?

A nightmare?

Come on, tell mummy

- Don't you want to tell me? - I do

You and daddy

That's nice

I've never told you this

1 woke up one night

The light was on in your bedroom

Daddy was on top of you. You were both naked

That's what | dreamt now

What were you doing?

Making love

Yes, love

You were born because daddy used to cuddle me

Now you love me. You're cuddling me

Hello, Counsellor

- Are you with someone? The coffee - It's for you

1 thought you'd be more responsive

Suppose | spring a little surprise on you

Like bail for Darek...

.from the new, legal, respectable union

Would you release him?

- So the new union would... ? - They would

What about him? That's the rub, isn't it?

I'll talk to him, if I think there's a chance

| don't decide alone

You think it'll be oil on troubled waters?

Not at all. Just a good old lawyer's trick

- Know my answer? - Yes

Screw it

Exactly

I'll be seeing you

Get yourself a coffee. The judge drank yours

You know | joined you to wait things out?

Naturally. I'm not blind

Criminal cases, divorces... that was fine

But the way you're handling this...

Listen, no one's forcing you

I'll give you good references, anyway

Look what your wife gave me

She did?

The way of the world...

Know any of these people?

Yes

My friend from childhood

- He joined the strike - Precisely

I'm planning to see him

What for?

To stand bail for you, to vouch you'll be a good boy

| won't

You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth

Seize your opportunity. He's your friend, isn't he?

He was

All right. But his bail can get you out of here

Then you won't be facing a summary proceeding...

...or more than one suspended sentence. Can't you see?

You can't win now. Pretend you're passive...

...if you want to stay in the game

I've never begged a prisoner...

..to agree to be released

Don't start now

- Not eating? -No

Think it'll change anything?

Damn it! | can't watch you Kill yourself

I can't allow...

Then don't. Shout it from the rooftops

Go ahead, die! Jump out of the window

No way

It's barred

Precisely

You all decided to live, didn't you?

- Who? - You... the others

Your kind

Your response to martial law was: survive!

You didn't charge the tanks

Was that wrong?

No. But you have to be logical

If you decide to live...

...you must learn to endure

Point 5: consequences and conclusions

Antek's dead. He can't save both his skin and his honour

My way's unacceptable. That leaves one option

We level with him

Let him decide himself

You shouldn't have taken this case

I had to, my boy. | admire that man

1 told him he had to survive...

...not waste time on gestures

His kind of integrity is important...

...not just to him

People want to be brave. They need examples

- What are we in the end? - Defenders

Yeah, you can say that again

Murderers, thieves, beg to be sprung

An innocent man refuses

After 45 years at the bar, he makes me ask myself:

Whom do we really defend?

Against whom? Against what?

- Noticed we have the same name? - All the time

At least we can tell him that his family's being taken care of

That they're provided for

He needn't worry

Who'll tell him?

You, of course, Mietek

But I'll also tell him what I think

What's this?

An underground tape. Know it?

Look what I've got

- What is it? - A canister

Tear gas

Where did you get it? Where have you been?

Constitution Square

Stay away from places like that

Promise?

It still stinks

You're all I've got left. Promise me

Please!

Labrador is willing, but tired

He has his methods, but you're too much for him

That's good. The crunch is coming. You have to shout

Never mind those bars. You'll be heard

Plead guilty. Say yes, | organised the strike

| want to fight

1 only regret | realised so late

The strike was a pretext for something bigger

The men supported you because they wanted to fight too, but didn't dare

You showed them the way, and you don't regret it

It'll look just like another trial

We'll invite observers

With luck, they won't be admitted

And both sides will think something's afoot

The whole of Warsaw will be talking. Know what they call that in Cracow?

They have a special word for it

Here's what Counsel will say:

"I do not ask the court for special treatment

"The accused is a nobody. Nobodies are legion

"But this nobody is also a brave man

"And courage is contagious

"He is dangerous because he speaks the truth

"And no bars can confine him

"The work of this court, and these proceedings, are futile

"The accused knows that futility and impotence breed rage"

- You mean hate - Don't you feel it?

Tyro spoke of clarity

He said both sides must wipe their glasses

That you have to try and find your way again

Each man must find it himself

Himself, even if everyone else is...

- He has to - That's poetry

Labrador said there was no evidence

That I'd have to kowtow and get out of here as fast as possible

That's mere pragmatism

It amounts to selling out

I'm proposing a third possibility

Say your aim was to subvert the system

No, it wasn't that

What then?

Never mind how clear you are about that

Say you wanted to subvert the system

At least you'll go to jail for something

You're facing a minimum of three years

And maximum?

You've got it! Let the issues be sharp and clear

Or we'll still be queuing for a bar of soap

Still not eating?

Hold on a few more days

The worse you look the better

What's the matter?

Come on, damn it!

You use that word too often

I'm sorry

The hunger strike has ended

- When? - Yesterday

You've won

I have

We're defenders

Here's the bail

We should make the most of it

Yes, we should

- What's today? - The 3rd

Take it to the judge

Tell him I'll be there in an hour

Get going, damn it!

| came to say goodbye

Why?

I'm leaving

It's not easy telling you, or anyone for that matter

- Where are you going? - Back, via Canada

Opting out?

Sure. But why make things tough?

There's nothing for me here

The world | remember from photographs has gone

Smiling faces, a helping hand...

Everything clear and simple. It's all gone

- It was his world, wasn't it? - Yes, it was

People have withdrawn, split up...

1 no longer know what's good or bad

Some people | can't see

Others | don't care to see

I've tried going it alone, but alone is alone

I hoped...

I'm leaving

Antek is here

Forget him

-1 saw him - In a dream

No, | saw him

1 could have asked him...

Where are you going now? Can you give me a lift?

Come in

We've started

| don't want to eat, 1 don't like fatty food

1 want to be thin and well-proportioned

Eating doesn't give you pleasure

Your bodies cannot feel hunger

You're asleep

Asleep, asleep...

- Well? Has he gone? - He's gone

- You want to lose weight? - No!

| want to repeat the treatment

But if he's gone?

| want to anyway

You lied to me

He's dead, isn't he?

You see...

| don't communicate with the Beyond

Daddy used to bring me here to see grandfather

Can 1?

- For a moment - Goon

I love you

Do you hear? | love you

Mum, I've something to say you won't like

- 1 love dad's mum more than yours -1 know

You've hardly ever left me here

Well, now | will. Look, there's granny!

He's very fond of you. He told me in the car

He's a good boy now. Very good

Off you go. And don't worry

Are you going far?

- You didn't say goodbye - See you

When it's for longer, we should say goodbye. Goodbye, mummy!

Goodbye, Jacek

In the name of the Polish People's Republic...

..the Warsaw Metropolitan Court, on 6th November 1982...

..after hearing the evidence against Dariusz Stach...

...finds the accused guilty as charged...

...of offences against Article 46...

...of the Martial Law Decree...

...and Article 12 of the Special Regulations Law

Waiving summary procedure...

..this Court sentences him to 18 months imprisonment

Execution of the sentence is suspended for two years

The prisoner Dariusz Stach is hereby released from custody

You're free to go

Congratulations, sir

Thank you

Counsellor...

You shouldn't

We'll leave in a minute

We're leaving

Now I'm on this side of the fence

My last day, my last case

May | read you a poem I've found?

"And | don't even know how | happened

"To change from wolf into mangy dog

"Maybe my muzzle lost the wind's dark touch

"My howling no longer scowled at the sky

"A flicker of fear, not a boisterous flame

"Stormed upon my back

"Maybe no one needed to put this collar on me

"And | myself crawled over

"To beg fawning and dog-like

"Lord, who lovest even those who grovel

"And can kindle pride in a worm's pale blood

"Help open the throat of one mutely shouting

"And tell me to walk free even though I'm weeping"