Original subtitles

The wound canal is from a gunshot.

They thought you were dead. You were lucky.

Can you see?

That's good.

The patient has wound fever. Intravenous penicillin.

Cheekbone and nasal bone are shattered.

Chipping to the left cranial bone.

You were a singer?

Where was that?

- Most recently at the St. Michaels choir. - In London?

- Yes. - When?

Up to '38.

Then you, a Jewess, returned here. Why?

They have wonderfully cool cellars.

And the grounds are almost like a plantation.

We'll soon be able to walk around.

And you'll be able to... - Who's paying for this, Lene?

You? - No.

You inherited.

Your entire family is dead.

And Herbert and Marie...

the twins... - Esther?

I haven't found her yet.

Where is Johnny?

So how do you want to look?

It's your choice.

Some of my patients favor Zarah Leander,

others Miss Söderbaum.

I guess they're both out of fashion now.

A few gentlemen out there would probably like new faces too.

I want to look like I used to.

That's difficult. I recommend you think it over.

Why?

On the one hand, it's never quite the same,

and on the other, a new face is an advantage.

How is it an advantage? - You'll be a new and different person.

You won't be identifiable, which means...

I want to look exactly like I used to.

You'll receive an intravenous anesthetic.

An ether mask can't be used due to your face's condition,

but don't be concerned. You'll sleep deeply.

Just count backwards: ten...

nine, eight, etc.

Know what the Americans call it? A "countdown."

It comes from a German film, Woman in the Moon.

So now count ten...

- Ten. - Nine...

Nine. - Carry on.

Eight, seven...

six, five...

JEW. JEW. JEW...

JOHANNES LENZ, PIANIST DIVORCED OCTOBER 4,1944

That's already looking really good.

A couple of days and the bandages come off.

I found an apartment, by the way.

In Haifa.

You can see the sea.

Beautiful architecture with clean lines.

Bernstein designed it.

I've got photos. Want a look?

Here.

No, I didn't see him.

Nelly, it was bombed out. It no longer exists.

I no longer exist.

Nelly, remember how you felt three months ago?

How desperate you were?

It's extraordinary what Dr. Bongartz...

In a few days the bandages come off... - Would you recognize me?

Would you recognize me?

Yes.

No.

This is me.

Where did you get that?

The clinic needed pictures for the reconstruction.

Sorry. That's the wrong word.

Dr Bongartz used it and I simply...

Re-creation is better, right? - Re-creation?

Just look at me.

Nelly, you're beautiful.

That's not the point.

What do the circles signify?

Those are Nazis.

And the crosses are for the dead?

Yes.

We need a cross above Esther too.

It's such a miracle you survived.

There's no cross above Johnny.

Johnny doesn't interest me.

Here are dresses...

a jacket of English cloth,

and two coats, a summer one and a lined one,

to get you started.

It was all acquired by Mrs. Winter.

Wonderful cloth.

You're a size 38, right?

And when are you going to Palestine?

I don't know yet.

So, this is the bathroom,

all fully equipped,

and in perfect working order.

If you need anything, please let me know.

No, that we won't do.

The light stays off.

We have a real plague of flies.

The war didn't seem to bother them at all.

They come up from the lake in swarms.

No, please don't. I'd rather do it myself.

- When do we dine, Elisabeth? - At 7:00, if that's all right.

- What have you cooked for us? - Stuffed cabbage with sweetbread.

Where did the sweetbread come from?

I have no nutmeg, no butter,

no black pepper. It's awful.

But you improvise so wonderfully.

Improvise, improvise!

I've had it with improvising.

Elisabeth is really a gem.

- She's not a Nazi? - She always hated the Nazis.

So... you like it?

Yes.

Great.

By the way, I put the papers for the Haifa apartment on the desk.

And I found two others for us in Tel Aviv.

One is in a housing project. We're being allocated terrain.

You know, it wasn't easy getting us both a visa.

- There you are. - Thank you, Elisabeth.

Can you manage?

Yes.

Can I hear that again?

It's nice, huh?

I'd listen to it in London before falling asleep.

Would you sing it for me?

Okay.

I can't stand German songs anymore.

When you're better, we'll take care of your assets.

Is it a lot?

It's substantial. It'll take a while...

to get the Nazis out of the properties, but there's lots of money in Switzerland.

It's the victims' money. It carries an obligation.

To do what?

To go to Palestine and found a state

where we Jews can live safely.

To do so, we take back all they took away.

Maybe then we can sing and listen to German songs again.

Did you like it?

Yes.

Then give me something.

Yes.

I'm looking for my husband.

He's a musician too.

What does he play?

He's a pianist.

If he's lucky, he'll be in one of the cabarets or clubs.

If not, he'll be on the corner with an accordion.

What clubs?

I'd try the American sector.

Johnny, what did I do?

I just wanted to dance a bit.

Let go of me! Johnny! Get off me!

Yes.

Excuse me. I mistook you for someone.

Stay where you are.

I told you to stop right there.

What do you have in your bag?

Show me.

The fine coat!

I'll never remove that.

That's tar!

Where was she gallivanting?

Would you leave us for a moment, Elisabeth?

So... did you meet him?

You can't just wander around at night. There are all sorts out.

I don't go out without a revolver.

I can't always look after you. I have to go to Poland soon.

I might be there a while. - How long?

A week or two. Maybe longer.

Did you give some thought to Haifa or Tel Aviv?

In Tel Aviv there's a Jewish choir run by Vera Stroux.

It might suit you. - What would I do in a Jewish choir?

I'm not a Jew. - You are, like it or not.

They tried to kill you because you're a Jew.

We can't stay here, Nelly.

Johnny betrayed you.

You were arrested on October 6, 1944.

Johnny was arrested on October 4, 1944.

He was interrogated and released just after your arrest on October 6.

He wasn't put in prison. No punishment. Indeed...

he was allowed to play again. Now he wants your money.

Did you see him?

- Yes. - When?

Two months ago.

Did you speak to him?

I don't speak to traitors.

Wonderful! Wonderful!

We have beer.

We have cold beer. We have whiskey.

We have champagne.

And now our delightful Vicky and Lola

will sing the one and only Cole Porter's...

"Night and Day."

Night and day.

Night and day I think of you

Countless weeks have passed And I just pined for you

From the dreams I have at night I awake each morning once again

And have your sweet image before me still

Wherever I am, I am with you

I often hear your familiar steps stop at my door

And the twinkle of your eyes lights the dark hours

Of my loneliness

Vivaciously

Night and day I feel that beloved hand

That you softly gave me as we stood by the meadowside

Like a mirage of all my hopes

You vanish as I approach My pining remains unassuaged

Night and day

Johnny!

When the autumn mists fall leaden

As the wind screeches and cries

Clouds, grey and ragged, fly by

My heart beats hasty paces

Beats and finds no rest at all

Like a wailing wind it whispers

Just you, you, you

Nelly?

Everything okay?

Yes.

One second. I'll be right back.

I got you a revolver too.

Know how to use it?

Sometimes just showing it is enough.

I'm looking for Johnny.

Did he give you those black eyes?

He works here.

There's no Johnny here.

- But I saw him. - I don't know a Johnny. Do you?

Johnny, you swine Your pockets are empty

But the cellar is full so really there's plenty

The world is a quay all covered with girls

The sailors go cross-eyed when they give them a twirl

- How about a coffee? - Or two?

- Coming up. - Are you Johnny?

The doll here wants work. - But don't hit her again.

Johannes, get a move on!

He's the one to speak to, miss.

When you're off for a stroll

Sunshine doesn't do it

To see the town of Berlin Sunshine doesn't do it

It's a cozy little spot

It's what you might call a town and a half

To make sure you can see it all

You really need a couple of hundred watts

- But what's this? - And what's this?

What kind of town is it?

Go switch the light on so we can see

What's there

Switch it on and stop your talking too

So we can see

What a sight it is, Berlin by light

Go switch the light on so we can see what's there

Are you looking for work?

Do you have an apartment?

All your own?

Wait, miss.

This way, miss. I don't have much time.

We can earn a lot of money.

You look very similar to someone.

- Whom? - My wife.

Alive she was poor. Dead, she's rich.

What? Why?

She and all her family were killed.

This way.

You can have the back room.

I sleep here.

I can't get her inheritance.

There's no evidence she's dead.

- Maybe she's still alive. - She's dead.

You have to play my wife.

I'll instruct you. You'll return as a survivor

and collect her estate.

We'll split it.

There's $20,000 in it for you.

But you can't go out over the coming weeks.

Nobody may see you.

I'll take care of food.

There's an American beer there. - Johnny!

Please don't call me that.

What... should I call you?

Johannes.

You'll call me Johnny in public.

Until then it's Johannes. - In public?

Yes, when you return as a survivor.

What's your name, anyway?

Esther.

There aren't many Esthers left.

What was your wife's name?

Nelly.

I'll be back at 4:00.

Please let me sleep in.

Do I...

really look similar to her?

No, but you will.

Lene?

Lene.

- Nelly? - Yes.

No, don't turn the light on.

You saw him.

Yes.

What happened?

It's open.

Please go back out.

Redo your entrance.

Come back in again.

Without the bag.

Don't look at me.

Just come in and walk down the stairs.

Just carry on down the stairs.

Frankly, I hoped you wouldn't come back.

- Why? - It won't work.

Here are two dollars.

And a ration card. I'm sorry.

Go on, take it.

Now leave.

- But we wanted to practice! - It won't work.

- Why not? - Because you won't cut it.

Now just take... Take the money

and leave. - We could at least try.

- Take your bag. - Just for a few days.

If it doesn't work, I'll leave.

Please.

Please.

Sit down on the other side.

Here's a sample.

You must be able to write like her.

Practice with that.

It's a shopping list.

Yes, it's what we'll start with.

Now practice.

Is that all you own?

I'll see what I can organize.

Practice.

There's some food left over.

Thanks.

You needn't have bothered.

There's no money in the drawer.

What?

Oh, that.

I needed examples. - Of what?

Her handwriting.

I'd finished the shopping list...

and needed more material. - Show me.

It's... on the table.

You didn't trace this?

No.

200 G MARGARINE, 4 EGGS, SUGAR, RAISINS, 1 LEMON

Sit down.

I'll never get used to driving on the left.

Write that.

Oh, I see...

"I'll never get used to driving on the left."

Write...

"I am alive and will return soon."

Signed Nelly Lenz.

This is her signature.

It's almost identical.

Good.

You can sleep here. We'll continue tomorrow.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

I brought you some things.

Are they... Nelly's things?

They were burnt.

There are only the shoes.

They're from Paris!

Try them on. Try the shoes on.

- Did you buy them for her? - I think so.

Do they fit?

Did you go to Paris together?

I need to know these things. - Try the other one. Walk around in them.

Do they pinch?

So why are you walking so strangely?

We'll need to practice that too.

I just got up.

I haven't had breakfast. - The water's boiling. We'll eat soon.

Now please walk normally.

It's too long.

Can you sew?

I mean, take it in. - The dress?

Her dresses ended just below the knee.

Always nice and short, full and airy.

Can you manage that? - Is that my coffee?

Your hair is awful.

Something's got to be done about it.

Nelly always dyed her hair.

- Anything else? - A hell of a lot.

We're only starting.

If we manage... I mean, once we're done here,

you'll take a train from the east,

and we'll meet you here at the station.

And I'll be...

in a red dress and shoes from Paris?

You think anyone leaves the camps like that?

Nobody will buy it.

You've seen the returnees.

All the burn wounds and shot-up faces!

No one looks at them. Everyone avoids them.

But we want them to look at you and say, "It's Nelly!

Nelly made it! She's back!

She's wearing a breezy dress and nice shoes

because she's so glad."

It's the only way to get what we want.

These people will be meeting you,

and these you might meet after you arrive.

Names and some details.

Learn it all by heart.

I'll be with you. I'll help.

If need be, throw a crying fit...

as if you're overwhelmed.

Or just hug them, and then I'll intervene.

We'll practice.

The ones with crosses are dead.

Learn about them anyway.

That one was shot in Lichtenberg. He was a Nazi.

- This one? - That one.

And her too.

Do you... have any photos of Nelly?

I'd so much like to see her.

Later. Study those ones now.

- What color eyes did Nelly have? - Same as you.

- What color is that? - Blue.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I've found the solution for your hair.

That's not my wife. It's an actress.

Nelly really liked that picture.

The look of her makeup.

The hair.

She copied it, particularly for performances.

For all performances, in fact.

Think you can do it?

You know how to apply makeup, right?

I brought you some.

And something for your hair.

The color should be right.

It won't work.

I can't come from a camp like that.

- I explained that already. - No, it's all...

They want Nelly, not a ragged camp internee.

That's what we're working on here.

If I'm coming...

from a camp, someone is bound to ask me...

what I experienced there, what I...

What?

How it was there,

and I'll need a story. - What kind of story?

What? - Something or other.

Like...

how we sat on a beam...

naked, and...

went through the clothing...

of those who'd just arrived...

while the Kapos stood around us.

We had to check for money

or jewels they'd hidden.

And then this...

girl, this girl...

looks at me. She looks at me.

This girl looks at me.

- Where does the story come from? - She's got her mother's dress...

Where from?

I read it.

Then tell it.

If anyone asks.

Yes.

But I assure you, no one will.

None of these people will ask.

Right. No one.

You did well with the dress.

- Johnny. - I said don't call me that.

Where are you going?

- I have to go out. - I do too.

Wait.

Do you recognize me?

Enough!

What have you caked your face with?

The eye makeup is wrong. Your walk too. Everything.

It's all wrong.

Did you at least study the pictures?

- I have to go out. - No.

- I must. - You can't.

If you go out and someone recognizes you,

it's all been in vain. - No one will.

I have to go out!

Please.

First the grocer wouldn't sell to us.

Then Mr. Schmidt-Ott across the street.

Nelly was banned from singing.

Friends stopped coming by.

Sigrid and Walther Hochbaum lived on the third floor.

They stopped coming by too.

I had to hide Nelly in winter '43.

Lehmann wouldn't let her in the bomb shelter.

We were sure he'd denounce Nelly soon.

He envied us our apartment.

A friend who died at the front had a houseboat on a nearby lake.

That's where I took her.

How did we meet?

Put your hat on. People are coming.

Come on.

- Did you often go walking with her? - Yes.

At night?

That too, yes.

Where would you go?

Did you have favorite places?

Of course.

What were they?

- Let's go. The weather is turning. - So?

Shall we go sit down over there?

Stop it.

Stop this!

- What? - Stay away from the photos in my drawer.

- Of course. - Then do so!

- I didn't look at them. - Quit playing Nelly!

I know you're not her!

It's not me you must convince!

Where's your hat? - On the bench.

- Coming for a beer later? - Sure. Look!

How beautiful to be in love!

Here.

I wouldn't have survived the camp except for Johnny.

All I thought about was how I'd come back to him.

And when I finally got here,

I simply had to look for him.

And when I finally found him...

he didn't recognize me.

And that was...

Lene, I was dead again.

And now he's made me back into Nelly again.

I can't come to Palestine.

Where will you go?

- Back to Johnny. - Impossible.

Lene, since being back with him,

I'm myself again. - No.

- When he speaks of her... - "Her"?

I'm really jealous... of me!

- When will you tell him? - I don't know.

Lene, it's as if we're just getting acquainted.

For the first time, you hear?

And how is this to go on?

I'm to arrive by train soon. He'll inform you about it.

Then I'll be here again.

That'll be my return.

Then he'll go after your money.

You know what really disgusts me?

We Jews wrote,

sang, and slaved...

went to war for Germany, yet we were gassed, one and all.

And now the survivors return and forgive.

The gassing stops, and we forgive...

all counts of cowardice and treachery.

I won't go along with it, Nelly.

Lene, I know he loves her.

I don't believe he betrayed her.

When you were sitting there in the dark,

I thought you'd shot him and needed my help.

And honestly, I'd have preferred that.

I'll wait for you here.

Mrs. Lenz!

I'm so happy to see you again.

Is your husband happy too?

You know how men are these days.

How are they?

Can I offer you something?

We have real coffee...

for our good guests.

Elsie, make us a coffee.

Did you know I was hiding down in the boat?

No.

No.

I saw you...

at the window...

when I was arrested.

You and your husband.

It was horrible.

What could we have done?

I told your husband the same thing.

We were so afraid.

And you know our son... - My husband was here again?

Yes, after your arrest.

When?

Right away.

What are you doing here?

It must have been cold...

that winter.

How was it with the innkeepers?

You were right.

The landlady didn't ask me about the camps.

But she did call me Mrs. Lenz.

And she cried.

You were here the day Nelly was arrested?

Says who?

The landlady.

Let's go.

Did you betray Nelly?

Sometimes...

it's not a real betrayal.

You hid her...

had to take care of her all that time.

Then you're arrested and interrogated.

Finally you're suddenly released.

You hurry to check up on her.

You don't notice you're being followed.

Then it's too late.

You just stand there,

and there's nothing you can do.

You have to watch Nelly being taken away.

Get off.

Come along.

We'll have Nelly return next week.

At the station there'll be me,

Sigrid, Monika,

Frederike, Walther, and Alfred.

A train will arrive. Lots of people will get off.

You'll be sitting in the rear.

The train will start to move...

and then they'll see you...

in the red dress and the shoes from Paris.

The Nelly of the past.

They'll be relieved.

They'll run towards you.

Sigrid will be first. She always is.

She'll act speechless. "I don't believe it."

"Nelly!" Then she'll hug you.

Alfred, as always, will say, "Little Nelly."

It might almost be, "How you've grown."

Monika will tell you about her husband.

"I always knew you'd come back."

Frederike will complain as usual about her life and Berlin.

What about us?

We'll walk up to each other.

Very tentatively.

We won't speak...

or kiss or fall upon each other.

We'll simply hug.

You'll lay your head on my shoulder...

and we'll both close our eyes.

Nothing else.

Nothing. For ages.

"Letter of reference.

Mrs. Schwarz was in my employ from March to September 1945.

She is an excellent housekeeper..."

She left you a letter too.

I'm to give it to you.

Where is Lene?

You don't know?

Mrs. Winter shot herself on Thursday.

Dear Nelly...

I told you there was no way back for us.

But for me there's no way forward either.

I feel more drawn to our dead than to our living.

I cannot keep this from you.

Your husband divorced you just before your arrest.

I'm enclosing a copy of the relevant document.

Farewell...

Lene.

Wait. I'll get the key.

The train arrives around 8:00. Is half an hour enough...

to wash up and do your makeup and hair?

Or do you need 45 minutes?

Well, Nelly?

Calling me that now?

A slip, I guess.

I'm afraid this will hurt a bit.

Prisoners at Auschwitz were tattooed...

with a number on the forearm.

Someone will ask about your number.

And you'll whisper...

that you cut it out.

There'll be no further questions.

Get out!

IN THE NAME OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE

OCTOBER 4, 1944...

JOHANNES LENZ... DIVORCES... NELLY LENZ

I can't believe it.

It's so...

I don't know.

Let me give you a hug.

I told Wolfgang, "Nelly will be back. I know it."

If only he could see you too...

If only...

Well, Nelly...

Christina is dead.

My child is dead.

But now go over to Johnny. There he is.

Let's go, kids. The food's getting cold.

We missed you.

Two days ago I passed the studio.

The circular bench where you always sat together.

The streetlights were back on.

A piano was playing inside. Someone was singing.

I closed my eyes...

and for a moment it was like before.

And now here you are, Nelly.

I don't have to close my eyes to see you.

And I never will again.

To your being back again, Nelly.

- To Nelly. - Cheers.

Nelly...

you are my love.

You are my life.

No matter what.

Come with me.

All of you come.

"Speak Low."

I always hoped...

to sing with Johnny again

one day in Berlin...