All language subtitles for Bad.Luck.1960.POLISH.1080p.BluRay.H264.AAC-VXT.eng

Film Group KAMERA
presents

BAD LUCK

In the main role

In supporting roles

Song "Kriegsgefangenenpost"
sung by

Screenplay based on the short story by

Cinematography

Music

Production manager

Directed by

Unfortunately, I can't keep
you anymore, Mr. Piszczyk.

Please, sir...

I beg you, don't throw me out.

It's only here that I've begun
feeling like a normal person.

It's only here that my
bad luck hasn't followed me.

It all began so long ago...
I'll tell you about it.

It started when I was a little boy...

Essay
Who is my daddy?

CEZARY PISZCZYK
DRESSMAKER

But I don't want to bore you
with my school years.

Eventually, I finished high school
and was accepted to university.

You might have noticed that my nose
is somewhat well pronounced,

and that it gives my face a...
Semitic appearance.

Of course, this is just
a result of mixing

my father's characteristics
with those of my late mother.

Actually, my father belonged
to the Christian Tailors Guild

and he hated Jews.
Especially female tailors.

Nevertheless, my nose has influenced
the course of my life.

One day I turned up
at the auditorium as usual,

and I was just going
to my desk, when...

- Jews sit on the left!
- What? I'm not a Jew.

- He says he's not a Jew...
- You're not a Jew?

I'm not a Jew. Get lost!

Look at who you're beating!

Forgive us, Mr. Piszczyk.

You should wear that ID
on your chest.

Have a seat on the right, please.

I realized the importance that
appearance played in a man's life.

I envied all my friends who had
no trouble approaching girls.

I dreamt of meeting with a girl,
of taking walks together,

of professing love on park benches.
I was ready to give it all my best.

Unfortunately, I lacked the girl.

The students' organization helped
make my dreams come true.

I had an aversion to organizations
in opposition to the government.

I couldn't predict
the events of history.

So I joined the pro-government
Camp of National Unity.

Piszczyk, I've been looking for you.
I have a job for you - tutoring.

Take this letter
to the Zoliborz district.

- How can I ever thank you for this?
- Not me. The organization.

Major Z. Wrona Wronski

What do you want?

I'm here to see the major's wife.
It's about the tutoring job.

Make sure to close the gate!

I'm here about the tutoring job.

Splendid. Your connections
are good enough for me.

You can begin at once. Come in.

Jola?
Get down from there.

You know you're not allowed
to touch father's books.

I'm coming down.

This is your new tutor.

- Good evening.
- Piszczyk.

You can begin.

I don't know anything.

That's why I'm here. To teach you.

- Shall we begin with trigonometry?
- Do you live in the dorms?

- No.
- Too bad.

I'd like to go there sometime.

A young lady shouldn't
go to such a place.

Why not? My friend
has already been there.

Let's get back to trigonometry.
You know what sine is, don't you?

Not really.

If you take a right-angle triangle,
the sine is the ratio

of the side opposite the acute angle
to the hypotenuse...

Just try to imagine
this mathematical ratio...

That's what sine is.

I couldn't be wrong.
She was looking at me as a man.

Apparently, she didn't
think I was ugly.

So, sine is the ratio
of the side opposite the acute angle

to the hypotenuse,
while cosine is the ratio

of the second right-angle side
to the hypotenuse.

You're late again, honey.

I can't help it.
The situation is tense.

Serving your country is good,
but don't forget you have a wife.

- Have you finished?
- Just now.

Come have some tea with us.

- Good evening, Daddy.
- How are you, darling?

This is Jola's new tutor.

- I'm sorry, I'm disturbing you.
- Nonsense, quite the contrary.

Have a seat, please.

So, how are the lessons going?

Splendid, Miss Jola
is very intelligent.

- Do you think so?
- You have to be very strict with her.

That won't be a problem, madam.

Jola did something very important.
I began to believe in myself.

Come on, Dad...

Well, my son likes to iron
his own clothes!

Yes, I do.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam...
rana, rana.

Will you go on a date with me?

I wish I could go on dates!

I'm not allowed to go out at night,
my mother watches me like the police.

Why?

She thinks I have the devil in me.
She was probably the same.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam...

How about after school?

Juliet waits for me after school.

Can't you ditch her?

Juliet? She's a bitch.
She tells my mother everything.

We could take her to church,
but there's no mass in the afternoon.

Write this down.
Rana, ranae...

Maybe they'll go out
one of these nights.

I'll send Juliet to the vespers
and then you could come here.

Rana, ranae, ranae, ranam...

Please wrap it up.
We'll walk together.

Yes, madam.

- Oh, good evening!
- Good evening.

- Where are you going?
- To see the dressmaker.

- At this time?
- I'll be back in fifteen minutes.

- Maybe I should...
- Hold on. You can walk me.

My husband hates it
when I go out alone at night.

- Goodbye.
- I'll wait fifteen minutes!

Extraordinary supplement!

New Lithuanian provocations!

I'd like to speak with you
about Jola.

She is a premature and
restless child.

Yes, a bit.

- Is it hard for her to concentrate?
- Somewhat.

I have a favor to ask of you.

How may I help, madam?

I would like for her to graduate.

I'll do my best, madam.

Please wait for me out here.

Good evening.

No doubt you find it curious

that I make calls at the pharmacy
even though I have a phone at home.

You'll understand when you're older.

Please don't tell anyone about this.

Good afternoon.
Would you come in here for a minute?

- Would you like some coffee?
- No, thank you. I never drink it.

- Nor alcohol?
- Nor alcohol.

That makes you very reliable.

Here you go.
This is for last month.

You deserve it. Jola got a B
in math for the first time.

Would you like to go
to the movies tomorrow?

- To the movies?
- Please, don't look.

With whom?

With me. But in actuality, alone.

We'll go out after Jola's lesson.
You'll watch the movies,

and on the way back,
you'll tell me what they were about.

If anyone asks, we were together
for those three hours.

Three hours?

Yes, you can see the double
feature at the Palladium.

Won't the major object to this?

That wouldn't even cross his mind.

Great! I love going to the movies.

- Wonderful, see you tomorrow.
- Thanks very much.

- I see Miss Jola isn't back, yet.
- No, not yet.

Let me call her.
Oh! Here she is!

- Hi.
- How do you do?

So, I'm going to the movies
with your mother tomorrow.

- Will you stay at home?
- I always stay at home!

And your father?

My father? He's preparing
for war with Lithuania.

I'll come back in half an hour.
Send Juliet to church.

And the movies?

That doesn't matter. Just in case,
I'll leave my hat here.

Now I understand why my mother
always gets me the ugliest tutors.

Don't worry. I like you.

Don't you believe me?

I went to see the movies
that same night

so I could tell the major's wife
what they were about.

Hey, Piszczyk!
It's great to see you.

We're helping with the demonstration
to support the Marshall's policy.

- I see, but...
- You can't refuse. It's your turn.

- But I'm tutoring at seven.
- You have plenty of time.

Comrade Gozdzik, pass me the banner.

Great!

TO KAUNAS

WE WILL GIVE OUR LIVES FOR
THE IDEA OF GREATER POLAND

LONG LIVE SUPERPOWER POLAND!

COMMANDER, LEAD US TO KAUNAS

WE ARE INVINCIBLE BECAUSE
OUR LEADER IS SMIGLY-RYDZ

WE NEED WEAPONS!

Long live Marshall Smigly-Rydz!

Long live! Long live!

Commander, lead us to Kaunas!

Commander, lead us to Kaunas!

The way I was feeling at the time,
I didn't care about any of it.

I kept thinking of Jola.

This day was supposed to be the
Rubicon for me, passing into maturity.

I just wanted to ditch the banner
and escape as soon as possible.

Long live Poland
from the sea to the sea!

Suddenly, I realized I was no longer
at the back of the group

but somewhere in the middle.

I had no idea our organization
had so many supporters.

I became invigorated
by the shouts of the crowd,

even though I didn't care
about Kaunas.

I felt the power of the
community in me.

- To Kaunas!
- To Kaunas!

- Long live the Marshall!
- Long live!

ONR (National Radical Camp) - rules!
ONR - on the alert!

ONR - is shaping Poland!

It turned out that these new people
were not part of our group.

Jews to Madagascar!
Jews to Madagascar!

Long live the Camp of National Unity!

I didn't know what to yell anymore.

I was afraid that they would mistake
me for a Jew again because of my nose.

So I decided to yell both sayings,
one for the people up front,

and one for the people at the back,
but only in self-defense, mind you.

Commander, lead us!

- Jews to Madagascar!
- Jews to Madagascar!

- Long live Marshall Smigly-Rydz!
- Long live!

Down with the Sanation!

Down with Jews and communism!

I thought I had no right to risk.

The meeting with Jola
was the most important.

Thieves! Bandits!

Sir! What are you doing?

Down with the Jews!

Well done, my boy!
You'll be fine, soon enough.

Don't worry,
you'll be home in no time.

You shouldn't meddle in politics
with a head as fragile as yours.

The sound persecuting me since
my childhood directed all my hatred

against my father. The thought that
I would take money from him,

which he gave me with trembling hands,
and hear his stupid opinions

during many years of my studies
was disgusting.

I decided to break
with my family at once

and not to enter the door
with the nameplate:

Cezary Piszczyk, dressmaker.

Good morning, madam.
This is Piszczyk.

Oh, it's you.

Unfortunately, Jola has a new tutor.
A very nice boy, and reliable.

It wasn't my fault.
I had to go to Kaunas

and I was accidentally
beaten up by the police.

I can't trust my daughter with someone
who gets beaten by the police!

I started to realize that fate
was not treating me very well.

In the span of one month,
I was beaten for being a Jew,

the second time as an ONR member,
but more importantly,

I lost the first love of my life.

Three tickets, please.

One ticket, please..

SOLD OUT

I was always envious of cadets
and their sharp uniforms.

They were always surrounded by girls
and had the love of the entire nation.

That's why I didn't mind he stole
those tickets from under my nose.

Hold on for a second, girls.
Piszczyk!

It was Jelonek, the laughing stock
of our class and a complete airhead.

Jelonek.
Where have you been?

The artillery academy in Wlodzimierz.
How about you? University?

Yes...

Is it hard to get into
the academy?

Of course it is!
Everyone wants to go.

Hey, tell me.
Does anyone still wear spurs?

The cavalry,
and signal corps.

Hey, I have to go.
What's this? See you later.

Only two professions could ensure
my immediate independence.

Military school, or the seminary.

There was a huge difference
in uniforms.

Who could help me with this?

Jola's father!

The major usually came home
from headquarters at this time,

provided there were no problems
with Lithuania or Zaolzie.

After that, everything happened
in the blink of an eye.

Actually, I should smack him
for stealing my idea.

My imagination
was working frantically.

The hour he spent with Jola
was torture for me.

- Good evening, Major.
- Oh, it's you.

I'm glad to see you, Major.
I have a favor to ask of you.

About the tutoring?

No, I'd like to be admitted to the
cadet academy and become a soldier.

You're studying medicine,
aren't you?

No, law, but it was
my lifetime mistake.

I always dreamed of the army.
The signal corps. I like phones.

I've already applied there,
but with so many candidates...

What's your name?
I forgot it.

Jan Piszczyk!

I'll try to help you.

But I don't know if you need my help.
Looks like we'll all be at...

in the army.

I didn't like the major's hint
about mobilization.

There would be too many cadets.

The major kept his word.

I got a call-up card to the
cadet signal academy in Zegrze

for September 30th, 1939.

So you know what happened next.

On September 1st the war broke out
and crushed my dreams.

But my bad luck
had to be spectacular,

even on the background of the
back luck of the nation.

On the 8th of September, I left Warsaw
like most of the city's residents.

First column, stop.

Convoy, stop.

What?

Excuse me, Mr. Soldier,
I'm going to Zegrze.

I have a call-up card for September
30th, and I'd like to be in advance.

So be in advance.

- You're going to Zegrze too?
- No, I go in circles.

- What do you mean?
- In circles around Zegrze.

Nieporet to Struga, Struga to Prague,
Prague to Nieporet,

and from Nieporet to Struga!

- Since the beginning of the war?
- No, sir.

First we went from the border
through Mlawa.

- Yes, you are from a convoy.
- I'm not from a convoy!

I'm from the balloon corps.

But they put me on the cart since
they didn't finish the balloons.

Mr. Soldier, do you know
where the Germans are now?

Has anyone even seen them?

They must be close.

- What are you transporting?
- Cases.

- Food?
- Don't be so nosy!

They say it's a new weapon.

But I can't open it without orders.

Did you get any orders?

Who's going to give me orders?
Anyone who could, went elsewhere.

It's scary to carry such things.

No, I'm used to it.

Convoys move on!

Where am I?

Past Nieporet, near Struga.

Oh God, you were supposed to
wake me near Zegrze.

We'll be in Zegrze
again in the evening.

If you're in a big hurry,
you can go through the fields.

- It's about four versts.
- Four... versts?

Four versts.

- OK, thanks.
- A bit more than four!

Hurry up, guys! Hurry!

Excuse me, sir, is Zegrze
in this direction or that one?

- What?
- To Kaunas! To Zegrze.

- Let's see a picture ID.
- Yes, to Zegrze.

- I need a picture ID.
- Oh, ID.

- To Zegrze!
- Quiet.

Where did you get this?

From the bursar's office.

What's with you?

I don't know.

What did the man who
gave it to you look like?

The short one, from the bursar's office,
with a moustache, that very short one.

Oh no, he was an average
height, like you, sir.

What?

I mean... the one as tall
as you are, sir.

That's right. I know him.

- Where are you from?
- From Warsaw.

This way?

I want to get to Zegrze. I have a
call-up card for September 30th.

For the 30th.
A bit too early.

And too late.

Hard to say whether
anybody is still there!

So I'll check.

As you wish. Five kilometers.

Five?

- To Zegrze, right?
- To Zegrze.

- That way?
- That way, five kilometers.

Good dog!

Hands up!

The Germans didn't
believe my explanation.

Nobody changes civil attire to military
uniform when the country is occupied,

but rather vice versa.

I was so embarrassed by my stupidity
that I couldn't bring myself

to tell the truth to these
exuberant officer-cadets.

We're neighbors.

- I'm officer cadet Sawicki.
- Officer cadet Piszczyk.

You went to war
in your dress uniform?

No, when the war broke out
I was in Pilsudski hospital

and the doctor didn't let me go.

You know... staying in bed the whole
war because of stupid pneumonia.

But I ran away.
Through the window.

And the uniform?

But when I got to Zegrze
there were no uniforms left.

So you didn't
take part in warfare?

No, I caught up with my division
at Mlawa and caught hell.

You know how it was
with the signal corps.

Where were you captured?

Near Nieporet.

The planes shredded us like cabbage!

Hands and heads
were flying in the air.

Our major was blown up
along with his horse.

Nobody from my company survived.

I see.

All my squadron is dead too.

Then tanks came from the forest.

We had some anti-tank ammunition,
so I turned the machine gun around...

Over the next few days, I began adding
many specific details to my story.

The fear of being unmasked
passed away.

Officer Sawicki helped me

as he gave me his friendship
and had confidence in me.

Excuse me, this will take
just a moment.

Excuse me.

- I've examined the terrain.
- Terrain, yes.

We could try to dig our way out.
What do you think?

Dig our way out? Well, yes,
we'll have to think it through.

Do you think we'll be able to?

Of course we'll be able to.
It's only 13 meters to the fence.

- Thirteen meters?
- Thirteen.

Thirteen... Then, let's do it.

I knew you wouldn't let me down!

I secretly hoped that something would
interfere with this dangerous plan.

And indeed, after roll call, we got
a new transport of prisoners-of-war.

Officer cadet Piszczyk.

Osewski.

Officer cadet Krawczyk.

Judging by your insignia,
you're from Zegrze.

Yes.

- From the second class, right?
- Yes.

- I'm from the second class too.
- Really?

How is it that I never had the honor
of meeting you in two years?

That's strange...

ANNOUNCEMENT: From the 31st on,
all prisoners must work manually.

Volunteers have the right
to choose the kind of work.

Beware of snoopers.

Please, sir...

Could you put in a good word
for me with your boss?

What boss?

My father was a POW
during the first war.

He said that they also
put snoopers in the camps.

Did they also do it so stupidly?

Gentlemen, it's not true.

I'm not a snooper.

I wanted to go to war, so I found this
uniform in some abandoned barracks...

Did you hear anything?

No, I didn't.

Gentlemen...

Friends, I'm really not a snooper...

This way, please.

I left the camp by volunteering
for physical work in the factory.

I was allowed to choose between
work in a sewing factory

or in the arsenal.
The choice was very easy.

I couldn't stand the sound
of scissors anymore.

I came back to Warsaw
with a dismissal certificate.

I was regarded as
unfit for manual work.

It was funny. I owed the dismissal
to the repulsion for dressmaking

and the physical weakness,
which always worried me.

Move!

Quickly!

- Jelonek!
- Piszczyk! Good heavens!

I'd recognize that nose anywhere!

- What will they do to us?
- Anything they want to.

Easy, easy, I'll talk with him.

Herr Kommendant, here is my ID.

Shut up!

Herr Hauptmann. Herr Hauptmann...

Here is my ID.

I'm a bombed invalid.
Three kids...

Five kids! Wife pregnant!
Father paralyzed!

Whole family in the hospital!

Be from labor camp.
Was work Germany.

Done bombs for Germany.

Here is another piece of ID.
This is my best one.

Everything's in order.
You can go.

Goodbye.

You're doing well. Where did
you get the signet ring?

From the forefather... of my friend,
coat of arms Slepowron. Want one?

- I have no money.
- I can tell by your clothes.

Why would you taunt the Germans
with an old uniform?

I just came back
from a POW camp.

They let you out?
Maybe you're a Folksdeutsch?

Are you kidding?
I'm unfit for physical work.

Let me see that ID.

You weren't taken prisoner?
You were in the cadet academy.

I'm not a sucker. I'm not going
to waste the best years of my life.

When the Germans came,
I took off the uniform. How about you?

Nothing. I put on the uniform...
A little too late.

Death to losers!
But you've got a good document.

Do you want to make some money?

Sure, why not?

I need a man who can walk a little.
Driver, stop over there!

Take the package.

- Twenty.
- Here you go.

Now, go see your daddy,
and bye-bye.

Bye.

- Bye.
- Get lost.

CEZARY PISZCZYK
DRESSMAKER

I can't...

Jelonek!

The prodigal son returns.
Come and enter the castle gate.

You'll soon meet Queen Zosia.

Jasiek, come in.

Come in.

I married because of the curfew
since it was boring after 8 pm.

This is my wife.

- Good evening.
- Piszczyk.

Zosia, our friend here
will stay with us for a while.

Should I serve dinner?

No, we've already eaten. Come!

You'll sleep here until you
marry an apartment, like me.

I buy dollars.

No, Kazik, I've finished with you.

Ah, good morning.

Thanks to that little piece of ID,
which protected me from the Germans,

I became a means of transport
to deal with Jelonek's orders.

- Greetings, Mr. Ber.
- Greetings.

The spindle is bent.
I don't have that size in stock.

- The spindle?
- Spindle, yes.

- The spindle?
- Spindle, yes.

- Goods.
- Give it to me.

Stop that.

How come none of them work?

I hate the ticking.
It bothers me while I work.

Soon I got back on my feet.
I had Jelonek's full confidence,

and started my own business.

Don't bring me such crap in the future.

What's this?

- Here.
- Thank you. At your service.

I'm writing to you most differently

In these most strange days of my life

Letters like lost travelers

Are wandering about somewhere

Maybe the wind blows them
somewhere in autumn

Maybe my letter is rushing
in the world like a leaf

In any case, these letters
won't change much, my darling

If the war continues

Kriegsgefangenenpost
(POW mail)

It sounds like a secret

Give me the cash!
There's a carat to buy.

- Ten.
- OK.

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It's your home, number and street

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It's waiting for your letter

Kriegsgefangenenpost

It sounds like a secret

It's a train's distant whistle

It's waiting for your letter

I felt I wasn't that bad,
a hero exalted in songs.

I thought I could visit Jola.

- Good morning, Jola.
- Good morning.

I've just returned...

- Don't you recognize me?
- I do. Come in, please.

This is my pre-war tutor.
My fiancee.

Piszczyk.

My friend, Basia.

Basia!

- Piszczyk.
- Pleased to meet you.

Please sit down.

- Continue with the story.
- That was pretty much it.

So how did it end?

We were running around
the Krucza street corner,

when suddenly we saw
three men in stiff hats.

So we pa-pa-pa-pa-pa,
and were home by six.

Fantastic.
Oh, come here.

How are your parents?

Mom bakes cakes, and
father is in a POW camp.

I was in a POW camp too,
a stalag.

Did you escape?

Well... I thought
it's nicer in Warsaw.

When were you captured?

Halfway through September.

So you fought
on the northern front?

- Yes...
- Which army?

Uh... we went from the
Prussian border to Mlawa.

So you were captured
during which battle?

At Nieporet. What a battle.

Two German divisions
attacked us from both sides.

I used up all my bullets,
didn't even have one for myself...

Oh God!

What do you expect?
After the capitulation of Warsaw,

I saw a young lieutenant jump
from the fifth storey of a building.

- He probably had no bullets.
- Tell us about the POW camp.

The POW camp? In the camp...

Kriegsgefangenenpost.

What do you intend to do now?

Well, I'll have to look around.
I have some friends from the camp.

You can always count on us.

Thank you.
You've really changed, Jola.

- It's all thanks to him.
- I have to go now.

I'm also on my way out.
Goodbye, Jola.

Goodbye, friend.
And good luck.

You see what a dare-devil?

Sure, whatever. Let's
get back to trigonometry.

I can't allow a woman to carry
a heavy bag in my presence.

Everyone should carry
their own bag.

What's in there?

Did I ask how you escaped
from the camp?

If you're afraid, you
don't have to walk with me.

I'd walk with you even if you had
a machine gun and a bomb.

How do you escape from a camp?

The original method
is through a tunnel.

One of my friends started digging
in September, but still hasn't finished.

- You can dress up as a German.
- But how do you get a uniform?

You have to make it yourself.
Out of paper, for instance.

You just have to pick a sunny day
so that rain doesn't ruin it.

The best way is to use a bike left
by a German soldier who just arrived

from the city to the
camp headquarters.

Very interesting!

I'm sorry we must say goodbye here.
I'm going to Bielany now.

Don't look behind you.
Do you have any ID?

Don't be afraid.

- November is beautiful this year.
- Would you like some candy?

Only staying cool can save us.

Will I see you again sometime?
Maybe you could sell me some candy?

I have some on order!
Perhaps next time!

Call Jola tomorrow morning!

That is how my great love began.

Here I am!

It's very uneasy in town tonight.

The main thing is
that our boys attacked.

How many military police
were killed? Five?

Seven.

A description of this action
will be in the gazette.

- Who writes it, a man of letters?
- Yes, and a good one.

I'm so worried about you.

I'm sure you risk a lot.

No, this isn't the place.

But we keep meeting in town,
and you never have time.

- You have a lot of time?
- No, not really.

- Take care of yourself.
- You take care.

I only carry candies.

Will I ever be allowed to kiss you?

Don't think about trifles now.
There are more important things.

It's very important to me.

Sir, where is the raid?

Aleje, Nowy Swiat, Mokotow,
Praga, Wola... enough?

Enough!

What bad luck!
I'm in such a hurry today.

You have such strong nerves, Janek.

That was the most beautiful
moment of my life.

No woman has ever looked at me
like that since then.

And then I realized with despair

that as she looked at me,
she was seeing someone else.

We can go now.

Be careful! The alleys
are surrounded to the bridge.

I need to get to Zoliborz
as soon as possible.

If you get caught, you
definitely won't get there.

I'd get there
if it wasn't for this briefcase.

Why's that?

You don't really think
I sell candies?

No, of course not.
What's in the briefcase?

Underground press and mail.

You want to get through the
round-up with this?

I have to pass an important message.
In the morning it'll be too late.

Give me the briefcase. I'll bring it
to you tomorrow morning.

No, I can't place you in danger.
You do more important work.

I order you to give me the
briefcase. I'm your superior.

Good night, Basia.
I'll see you tomorrow morning.

Be careful, I beg you!

Finally! I thought
they had captured you.

Can't you reschedule your date
for another day? What's that?

My girlfriend's candies. I have to
carry it to Marszalkowska Street.

Maybe you should start with candies.

Safe occupation, you don't earn as
much on money exchange, but...

Do you remember Majewski?

They found dollars in his pocket,
so he was taken to a work camp.

- You also carry dollars like that?
- Yes, where else?

It's better to put them in the
briefcase, between candies.

- Hey!
- What?

- That's new, isn't it?
- Are you crazy?

- Dinner's ready, darling.
- Let's eat.

Sir, wake up.

What's your name?

What's your name?

- Piszczyk.
- Documents!

- Why are you in this apartment?
- I'm sleeping.

Inspector, it's my old schoolmate.

We know such tricks. He's been
hiding here for a long time.

- This document is counterfeit.
- I'm not afraid. The ID is real!

You're going to the Gestapo!
I don't like your nose!

- But Inspector, he's always...
- Get dressed!

He's always had that nose, he's
a true Aryan! You can even check!

- No, I don't want to.
- Don't be an idiot. Look here!

- There's no need...
- Moron!

You gentlemen had to get up
so early, maybe we could...

Ten thousand!

Ten thousand? For what?
This man is innocent!

His name is really Piszczyk,
his father is a dressmaker.

On Sienna Street, he's
famous in all of Warsaw.

He's registered there,
but they had a fight and...

- I'm mad at my daddy.
- What's with the briefcase?

Nothing, it's my friend's.
It's just...

...candies.

Jesus!

Here's the money, Inspector.
As much as you wanted.

I thought it was candy. It's his,
I had no idea. Here's the money.

I don't interfere in these matters.

Get out of here! Now!

On my way there, I never thought
of the danger posed by the briefcase.

I'd had enough. Fate let me know it
had given up harassing me.

It was typical:

the conspirational press and mail
saved me from the Gestapo's hands.

It was an unnecessary risk, Janek.
No one even stopped me.

That doesn't matter.
I have bigger problems.

What happened?

There was a raid
at the apartment last night.

I had to flee from there, and
now I'm left out in the cold.

You can stay at Jola's tonight.
Tomorrow, I'll find something better.

- Somewhere close?
- Maybe even in this block.

Why are you looking at me
like that, Basia?

I'm boring and ugly.

You know, when I first
saw you at Jola's

you didn't seem very interesting.

But now...

You're beautiful. Very beautiful.

I feel dumb telling you this, since
you've always viewed me so highly...

What are you talking about?

Well, it wasn't a serious group.

I decided to break
with them after the raid.

Maybe you could
find me some contacts?

Of course! I've spoken
about you already.

Our people are looking for someone
who's got relations in the Reich.

That's perfect. I know a lot about
a weapons factory in the Rheinland.

Janek, we can arrange it at once.

Just a minute.

I'm Witold.

It's a pleasure. Basia told me
a lot about you, officer.

Our work isn't easy.

- I don't like easy tasks.
- Great.

Everyone you'll meet has already
visited the Reich at least once.

You can tell us about yourself.
We have to get to know each other.

Go on, darling.

Come in.

Come in, please.

Janek!

Officer cadet Sawicki
escaped through the tunnel.

I left Warsaw the same evening.

I won't tell you about
the remaining war years.

I spent them in Kielce,
in the country, with my uncle.

I came to the conclusion
that fate would leave me alone

as long as I wasn't trying
to stick my neck out.

I guess it shunned cheap tricks like

catching my fingers in the chaff-cutter
or cutting my ear off with the scythe.

When we were finally liberated,
I immediately went to Warsaw.

I'M IN KRAKOW
A. WASIK

- Have you found anything?
- No, nothing.

You're Mr. Piszczyk, right?

You recognize me?

You'd recognize me, too,
except that recently, I gained...

I'm Wasik, I used to live above
the gate. Are you a dressmaker too?

No, I'm a student.

I was an assessor, but now I'm
planning something more independent.

- What did you study?
- Law.

You know what...
I'll help you out.

Warsaw will be desolate
for a hundred years.

You can come with me.
I need a lawyer.

- But I don't have a diploma.
- Diploma?

Let's go under the roof,
and I'll explain everything.

ADAM WASIK
CONCESSIONED APPLICATION OFFICE

Mr. Piszczyk, our hands
will swell from so much work.

Do you know how many offices
are being opened every day?

Or how many are returning
from labor and POW camps?

Each has to recreate his existence
with at least a hundred applications.

We're going to make a lot
of money, Mr. Piszczyk.

- New?
- New.

Only... I don't know
how to write applications.

You don't know?

Here's the book of wisdom.
You'll learn in two hours.

The book contained many formulas
for all types of occasions.

I learned to open the book in a drawer
so that the client would not notice.

The most frequent requests
that we received

were for a death certificate
for a lost person.

The work was simple. I would rewrite
the formula, word for word,

and I only had to substitute
the person's first and last names.

The date of death was always the same
since it had to do with the war.

May 8th, 1945.

It was much harder when it came
to widows' pensions.

I had to listen to long stories about
work, unemployment, military service,

and then write down
almost two full pages.

There were many store owners who tried
to get exemption from taxes.

I had to listen
to their dramatic stories

of low income, sick mothers,
invalid brothers and other misfortunes

which seemed to befall them
with amazing cruelty.

Over time, I developed
a fondness for money.

I dreamt about a comfortable
and peaceful life.

But fate...

Come in, please.

Just one moment.
I will be with you in a second.

I should have guessed that
the appearance of a woman in my life

is an omen of a
forthcoming disaster.

What can I do for you, madam?

- Irena Kropaczynska.
- Jan Piszczyk.

Listen, we need...

Don't forget, we have a conference
in an hour at the voivodeship office.

Yes, of course.

Well, I don't want to disturb you.
I'll be at the tax office, OK?

All right.
Please, sit down.

What can I do for you?

I would like to file for divorce.

Divorce?

What is the plaintiff's...
your husband's name?

Witold Kropaczynski.
A civil servant.

Why do you want a divorce?

- My husband is cheating on me.
- How strange...

Do you have any proof?

Unfortunately, no.

But I'm sure he has a mistress.

But the court needs some
evidence, witnesses.

That's why I came to see you.
I was told you could help.

I don't understand.

I'm all alone, so you're the only one
I could ask for this favor.

Of course, I'll reward you.

What do you mean?

We have to find out where
he goes. I'm sure he has a lover.

There must be a mistake.
I'm a lawyer, not a private detective.

That's funny. There are no
private detectives in Poland.

This is just like going for a walk.
You have no idea how horrible he is.

He's a monster.
You'll be doing a very good deed.

Money is not an issue.

I understand, madam, but...

I have a feeling that by doing
this, I will be breaking the law.

Why? Does the law forbid
helping a woman in need?

- What if we fail?
- We must succeed.

In any case, you can
keep this payment.

DELIVERY

I began to wonder where he was calling
now that he knew of his wife's betrayal?

Maybe his mistress, to tell her
his decision to leave his wife?

My boy, you shouldn't
come in without knocking.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

You know Mrs. Makulec.

And this is Mr. Pytel, the head
of the tax office, my best friend.

Will you drink with us?

No thanks, I don't like vodka.
Besides, I have some more work.

Don't be silly.
There are no clients now.

Gentlemen, the office is closed
until 2pm. Later, after lunch.

Don't worry, I'll take care of it.
I have nothing to do.

We're from the Security Police.
We have a search warrant.

Please, go ahead.

- Anastazja Makulec?
- Yes, that's me. I just came here...

- Haberdashery shop?
- Yes, that's right.

Mr. Pytel was on his way to my shop
and stopped by to see Mr. Wasik,

and we were here to...

Quiet.

What's this? Pocket change?

I'm from the tax office.

This is my money.
I have nothing to do with them.

Look, there's no fourth glass.

I've been saving this money for
two years, and didn't buy anything.

I denied myself everything. I didn't
go to the movies, or buy cookies...

That's enough whining.

I wanted to have a lot of money!
I didn't take it from anyone.

Let's go. Get out of here.

Stay here.

Tell us your life story.

I would just like to say that I have
nothing to do with Wasik's business.

He did it all in secret.
I just came there right before you...

Fine! Fine!
Your life story.

I was born on May 12th, 1916,

from father Cezary Piszczyk,
a dressmaker,

and mother Wiktoria.

I told my life story
as if I was in confession.

I feared telling the story
of the uniform, so I made sure

to describe all my wartime
experiences very vividly.

I was afraid that this officer would
suspect me of spying for the Nazis.

There was no one who could testify
that I just put it on for fun.

What are you babbling about?

I swear I'm telling the truth.

I'd like to be part of this new life,
and become a helpful citizen.

I want to work in whichever field
the state needs me to work.

Do you confess to everything?

To what?
I already told you that Wasik...

Shut up with this Wasik!
Don't make me out to be a fool!

You're part of a secret organization
working for foreign intelligence, yes?

Yes. No!

Oh Jesus! Holy Mary! Oh God!

If you confess everything, there
will be extenuating circumstances.

You were lured into this
because of your stupidity, right?

No! I don't belong
to any organization!

I never spoke with anybody
about any organization!

Really? Then who asked you
to follow citizen Kropaczynski?

Well?

Of course, it was me who
directed the security officers

to Wasik and his bribers.

After a few interrogations
I was released

but all my savings were credited
to the future surtax

and fines I had to pay.

I left Krakow just as
I had left Warsaw.

I spent the next few years
working as a low-level official.

Unfortunately, a man always
wants more than he already has.

I decided to look for a new job.

Good morning.

What? What is it?

I'm here to see the
personnel manager.

- Your pass.
- Here it is.

- Room 125, 1st floor.
- Thank you.

Yes, comrade.

- Good morning.
- Good morning. Can I help you?

I was told to report for work today.

- Your name?
- Piszczyk.

Please, come in.

Please fill out this form,
with capital letters, right here.

Yes, comrade.

My father's occupation,
a dressmaker,

ranked me among
the socially promoted.

I didn't think it was good to mention
the Sanation student organizations.

I wasn't able to join the underground.
My parents did not own any land.

I never traveled abroad.
I had no relatives abroad.

I didn't mention being in prison
in Krakow, since it was a mistake.

In other words, my answers
were almost perfect,

and I would have been at ease, if only
he had been a little less inquisitive.

What if he knew
something about me?

You write with good handwriting.

Very good.

We need an editor
for our board bulletin.

- I hope you won't refuse.
- No, of course not.

I think propaganda is one of the most
important aspects of our time.

Please report to the head of the
propaganda and statistics department.

Yes, comrade director.
Yes, of course.

- Good morning.
- Thanks.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

- My name is Piszczyk.
- I'm very happy to meet you.

We have a very important
statistical task to accomplish.

I would like to place you
in charge of that.

- I'm sure you'll find it interesting.
- Yes, comrade.

I want to devote all my power
to building a new life.

Please familiarize yourself
with the instructions.

That will be your desk.
And this is Mrs. Wychowna.

There were a lot these
statistical reports.

The local clerks sent
them at the last moment,

and we had to get them out
as fast as possible.

I took the work very seriously.

Yes, comrade president,
yes, of course.

I'm very happy with you, Piszczyk.

Clean, solid work.

Your appreciation will drive me
to work even harder.

BOARD BULLETIN

Very nice, Piszczyk.
Very nice, indeed.

You know what? You should not
be doing all of this by yourself.

We need to get you a staff.

What do you think about Kozienicki?

Him?

He was laughing at our board bulletin.
He doesn't like what we write.

You really think so?

He also doesn't like me, because
I don't hide my positive opinions

about this place
and in my personal life.

He even mocks you.

- What, me?
- And how often!

It seemed to me like I was riding
on the galloping horse of success.

Soon I gained complete independence,
even with Kozienicki's objections,

who wanted to minimize the
importance of statistical reports.

My status grew
along with my office.

We were no longer flooded
with local reports.

Now the local offices were terrorized
by the flood of my new questionnaires.

Our new machines
could calculate anything.

For instance, how many paper clips
does each one of our clerks use?

This was a very important factor
in judging their efficiency.

You've been nominated for an award.
You don't know how happy I am!

- Who nominated me?
- The director.

For all your outstanding work.
The personnel manager agreed.

Kozienicki is furious!

He said the world is ending
if such idiots get awards!

Thank you, thank you very much.
Now... to work.

Pour me some, Piszczyk.

Will we write about this celebration
in our board bulletin?

Yes, we will.
You deserve this, Piszczyk.

Thank you. This award will
drive me to do even better work.

You don't really know
much about life, Piszczyk.

Your father made very good money,
so your childhood was soft.

He sent you to university...

That's why I stopped talking to him.
I hated his middle-class views.

So you abandoned your own class.

Yes, I abandoned it...
I abandoned it completely!

I changed the subject because
my life story was a dangerous topic.

Why talk about those old days?
Now is a good time to be alive!

You're happy, aren't you, Piszczyk?

I am so happy.

You have no idea what this
celebration means to me.

This is the first time
in my life...

The pathos of our time
carries me away generally!

Comrade Kacperski, don't give him
so much beer, you can see...

Why not? We consume much more
beer now, than we did before the war.

For instance, I never
drank beer before the war.

It's only now that I've found
my real place in the world.

Everything I've accomplished
was through my hard work and effort!

Kacperski, I don't know if...

You're a strange man.
You're always talking, speaking...

wearing your heart on your sleeve.

But for the last two years,
I haven't been able to figure you out.

What's there to figure out?
I've been figured out! Completely!

I always say what I mean.
I can tell you anything.

Piszczyk...

To your health.

Kacperski...
Brotherhood?

- Call me Janek.
- Jozek.

Long live manager Piszczyk!

Good morning, Mrs. Suchulska.

Good morning, Mr. Mioduszewski.

Good morning, Mr. Mioduszewski.

- Are you still here?
- Where else should I be?

I was distressed by what he said.
I sensed misfortune deep in my heart.

Director's office.
This is Piszczyk.

The director is busy.

When will he be available?
This is very important.

I don't know. Not soon.

TOP SECRET! - VERY STRICTLY SECRET

Joziu...

Jozek!

Yes, Piszczyk?
What do you want?

Oh, nothing.

Suddenly, I felt
a knot of fear in my throat.

I wanted to avoid this terrible,
new attack of bad luck.

I was ready to tell about
the OZN and everything,

including Kropaczynski's
investigation.

God, how stupid I was to think
that I could hide here!

Mr. Piszczyk is called
to the director's office.

I'm on my way.

Come closer. Come on.

Sit down.

You've deceived us, Piszczyk.

We've treated you very well,
but instead of showing your gratitude,

you've decided to reveal
the evil soul of the enemy.

I will confess self-critically...

I belonged to OZN because
I wanted to be a tutor.

But I haven't
done anything here.

I know there are some who think
that I'm waiting to take their job.

- You want to boot me out!
- We have undeniable evidence.

As far as this
confession is concerned,

that will require
a separate investigation.

One moment, comrade Kacperski.

You were tipsy after those beers
yesterday, comrade Piszczyk?

That doesn't justify anything.

A drunken man
always tells the truth.

I wasn't drunk.

So you were fully aware
of what you said yesterday?

Fully. I can even repeat
every word I said.

I said that I was happy, that the
pathos of our time carries me away...

Yes, these lies about the pathos of
our time were meant to distract us.

I've suspected you for a long time,
Piszczyk, because of your enthusiasm.

You pretended to a fault.

I pretended? I was pretending?

Me? Pretend to who?

I was trying hard.

No other office has such a
model statistics department.

Even now, I'm adding
a new appendage

to statistics form 112-B...

and I'm doing it honestly,
fully honestly.

Kacperski, I swear.

I like our reports so much.

Why would I pretend?

No, this is too much. I'm not
competent to fix this matter, comrade.

We must fix it to the end.

Let's go.

Come with us, Piszczyk.

No, not now. Go on.

Do you have a pencil, Piszczyk?

- I do.
- Then write.

What should I write?

How about you dictate, director?

- How about Kozienicki?
- Me?

Why not? Can't you?

I can. Write exactly!

Tooth.

Soup. Oak.

- What? Write it.
- What?

Yes, tooth, ass... I mean soup, oak.

Well?

Soup.

Under the picture, I could see
an obscene insult in my handwriting.

Well, I believe there is no more doubt
that this is his handwriting.

It wasn't me! Him! Him!

I'll teach you!

I'll teach him!

Ass! Tooth!

Oak!

I'll teach you tooth!

I'll teach you oak ass!
I'll teach you soup!

I'll show you! I'll catch up with you!
I'll teach you!

I must have been dazed.

I was accused of
a crime of passion

and sent to your
model penal institute.

Please don't throw me out of here.

It's only now that this bad luck
has stopped following me.

Please, sir...

Sir?

What? What?

Please, don't throw me out.

Unfortunately, Mr. Piszczyk,
I can't keep you here any longer.

Sir, I'm afraid of
starting all over again.

But you're free to go and do
whatever you want.

- Couldn't I stay here to help out?
- No.

- Board bulletins!
- What? Where?

In every corridor,
in every cell, everywhere!

No. Please leave immediately!

Maybe statistical reports?

That's enough!
Please go away!

Well?

THE END