Original subtitles

You...

You, whom we love...

You do not see us...

You do not hear us.

You imagine us in the far distance...

Yet we are so near.

We are messengers...

Who bring closenessto those who are distant.

We are messengers...

Who bring the iightto those who are in darkness.

We are messengers...

Who bring the wordto those who question.

We are neither the light, nor the message.

We are the messengers.

We...

Are nothing.

You are, forus...

Everything.

Most children's accidentsdon't happen in traffic.

They happen at homewhen some medicine lies around.

Naturally, one canalways get divorced!

They can't even issue receipts, much less guarantees.

West Berlin looks just like east Berlin. What'sall the fuss?

Saying it's colder in the norththan in the south... that's big news!

Yes, the age-old question.

The meaning of life. Why is mankind here?

Such a short moment, compared with eternity.

I wonder, is it better or worsefor people not to know their fate?

Better, I think, since they searchthroughout their lives...

And ponder the purposeof their existence.

Here are some very moving verses...

By our fellow country man...

Fyodor tyuchev, poet and diplomat.

"Unity...

As proclaimed the world over...

Can only be forged...

With blood and steel.

We shall let ioveshow us the way.

Then we shall seewhich one lasts longer."

I'm certain that a secure world...

Can't be built on blood.

Only on Harmony.

We humans... politicians, philosophers...

Actors, workers, farmers...

People of all creeds...

We must agree on this.

If we can agree only on this, we will solve all the rest.

To every thing there is a season...

A time to every purposeunder heaven.

There is a time to be born...

A time to die...

A time to kill...

A time to heal...

A time to weep...

A time to laugh...

A time to seek...

A time to keep silent...

How do you crywhen you have no eyes?

A time to speak...

Bird's-eye view... soldiers fleeing.

A time to love.

They seem to flee from each other.

If only our tears could help them, raphaela.

If only we could iightuptheir darkness occasionally.

Let us never stopcelebrating the light, cassiel.

The light alonereveals them to themselves.

What am I now?

- A time...- Poplars near the house.

- To love...- Two poplars. - They form a gate...

- A time...- Through which one must pass.

- To hate...- They must grow. The path is so easy.

- A time...- It maybe long...

For conflict...

But he will forgiveevery step you've taken.

A time...

Otherwise the poplarswouldn't be there.

For peace.

Always two poplars. One gate.

Come, path. Now you must be the only one.

But why can't I come with you?

- You've got to get well.- I'm well.

And your sore throat?

What a drag! Why can't we go on Saturday?

That would be a great idea, if konrad would remember to eat.

But he forgets that he should eat.

So wear your scarf, and don't play outside.

I know that. I'm not stupid.

I'll go to my roomand play gameboy.

I hope that's allowed...

If someone has a sore throat.

Most of us are soboringbecause our cities are soboring.

Long ago the nomadsmust have been overcome by boredom...

So they said, "let us build, here and there and there...

Some hideous citiesmade of stone...

So that our world-wearinesslies in the squares and streets...

Houses and apartments.

Because we're emptyand we'reallin!

We're all empty and all in."

What's that called?

"Chasing the wind..."

Something is needed... some kind of joy.

Konrad?

Konrad?

Murphy.

"Today is like any other day.

Time goes by much slower."

What a strange thought!

As if time were painful.

Konrad?

Konrad.

Oh, Hanna.

A hug.

Watch out. I'm covered in oil.

It doesn't matter. You always are.

Where's our little sweetheart?

- She's got a sore throat.- Now? In the middle of summer?

Give her lots ofice cream.

It's soothing.

You and your home remedies!

It'll be gone tomorrow.

Yes.

I always gave you ice-creamwhen you had a sore throat.

Except once.

Really? Oh, yes!

I had to call the doctor. I don't remember the reason.

I had diphtheria.

If you need me, I'll be in the trailer.

Fine.

Hanna?

Old men and their housekeeping!

Young men are even more untidy.

It's just that there are more reasonsto forgive them.

That's the difference. Right, you old eagle?

Such nonsense! Why am I talking to you?

You're still a young bird...

Built in 1938.

Wasn't that just yesterday?

I remember what was going onin the world when you appeared.

The anschluss ofaustria, then the skirmishes...

With the Czechs.

The smell of warwas in the air...

Although no one knewwhat kind of war.

You were sent to the front...

Because of your sliding roof...

Which is normally meantfor sunshine and fresh air.

Well...

That assignment wasn't spelled outin your factory guarantee.

Bing, bang, you were ready for war time use.

Everything is readyfor war time use...

Anytime, anywhere.

Our passengers wereall top brass.

I always said being a chauffeuris not a job.

It's the onlyextra marital relationship...

Where you gain nothing.

Drive a customerdown to the sudeten land...

And back to the citythe same evening.

To thuringia, to Bavaria...

Way up to the coast.

Three hours' waitin regensburg!

I paced back and forth...

Without letting youout of my sight.

You were so new, my agle...

And so damned beautiful.

Only once did we get carried away.

Two minutes before the end...

In April, 1945.

But that was enough, doctor!

Or when we wereon loan to someone...

Whose driver had pneumonia.

If time were merely painful to them...

Then their perfectionwould make nosense.

This small piece of a human beingis perfect.

A tooth!

Whoever observes itcan see a face...

Can see eyes, can hear breathing.

In some places, time seems to want to linger.

Not that it stands still. It just moves in different ways.

These maybe placeswhere people once worked...

Talked in confusionand cursed.

Then, one day, these placeswere no longer important.

This breathing is now...

And now...

And now...

And still now.

What's keeping him?

The world is about to end!

Okay, let's see you step on it!

I'll do my best, Mr. Becker.

It's the last plane!

If writing appeared in the sky now, saying...

"You Germans are no ongerneeded in this world"...

What a blessing that would be!

Will there be many germansin america, dad?

Any kids that I know?

Anton, you'll meet American kids.

Real pals. Boy scouts.

- What's that?- Like our scouts.

You'll learn a new sportzbaseball.

A new life! You'll be amazed.

Why don't you stop talking?

Why must everythingfirst fall apart...

Disappear...

Every gesture, every plea...

Before you realizethat you're not listening...

That you're deaf?

Gertrud, get a grip on yourself, for once!

You'll have to live in here now.

Stay safe in thebox, so that nothing can happen to me.

So many things can happen outside, if you're notlucky.

Look, raphaela!

Wenever had baby teeth...

Never pried them loose...

Never held one with the thumband index finger...

To cast over our shoulderfor good luck.

We cannot exert any influenceover time.

We weren't expecting time, cassiel.

And once time was already there...

We didn't believe it couldmake us observers one day.

It's hard to observe time...

Which knows so little about itselfand its own dimensions.

I'd like to give this little toothto someone.

Even knowing that I'd be tamperingwith its human existence.

Unforgivable!

Most people's behaviormakes little sense.

It's just a pastime, game-playing, exploiting time.

They're all basement dwellers, to be exact.

- You saw the license plate?- Sure. I'm not blind.

Who are those two figures?

They're unimportant. Remove them.

I want no trace of their Nazi past. Can you do that?

Listen, that's my job!

Winter, I'm always afraidyou'll over do it one day.

Oh, I'm fairly stable. When?

Let's say Wednesday.

Okay. I'll come on Thursday, between 10:00 and 11:00.

You can also come between11:00 and 10:00.

I'm always here.

A shitty profession, eh?

Dear god, forgive me for choosingto become a forger.

- Here, your cassettes. All x-rated.- Let me make sure they're okay.

No touching until we're gone. Get it?

- This works?- Shut up. My stuff isn't shit.

Come.

If these are lousy, you'll regret it!

And if the gun doesn't work, watch out!

And you, dad, I'll waste you, you bastard!

You'll never beat me up again!

On Sunday, in the garden. Prepare yourself.

Then I'll split, to Holland or somewhere.

It still amazes me...

That you don't have to thinkabout what you do...

Once you've establisheda routine.

You can think any thoughts...

Draw your conclusions, contradict them...

Just like an angel, but without the exclusivity.

Meanwhile you create something!

Something to eat, a chair, a fur hat, a pizza.

Lots of necessary things, and plenty of them...

So there'll be enough some day.

At the same time you must thinkabout what isn'tnecessary...

And what's still missing.

Otherwise you'd only have thingsthat already exist...

And you'd be bored.

There's that ringing in my ear again.

Oh, cassiel, you'll never knowhow my pizza tastes.

What a shame.

- Hello.- hi, damiel.

Doria, my love!

I always know when it's youphoning me. What's up?

Yes, tell me.

I'm as light as a feather.

Very good.

Mama is on the trapeze with Jules.

She looks beautiful.

Paul and paulaare two inseparable birds.

And lalli?

Uncle lalli tells everybodythey should do even better.

- And Maurice?- Maurice is clowning around.

Now I'll hang up becausel want to watch some more.

- Kiss mama, mylove.- Sure.

- Bye, damiel.- See you later.

My papa is curious.

He always wants to knowhow things are going.

He's right. It's important.

- Damiel sends you a kiss.- Thank you, darling.

- You'll be the little mermaid?- Yes!

Smile, Marion.

She's like a feather, your daughter.

A feather from your wing.

You're beautiful, my little feather!

A fragile angelwith wings of paper...

From the book of dreams.

You and your fatherare like the eternal lovers...

Like the moon and the sunwho only meet at dusk...

But whose eyesare perpetually locked.

I need to see only one of you...

To know whether you're both happy.

You both love things, like conspiring lovers.

An underwater cabaretwith confetti and streamers...

Smoke and naked girls.

That would be great!

The best ideas come too late. Too bad!

- Should we stop, Marion?- Yes.

That's it! You've worked hard, kids.

Me, too.

Now it's time to tango.

And you?

What about you?

Papa would like to understandwhy we're not afraid to fly.

I really have to tell him tonight.

You and your father, you share the same inner time.

With just one look...

You tell each other:

"Let's forget that life can be hard."

Suppose you could really draw.

Suppose you were a real artist.

Oh, boy, wouldn't tha tbesomething?

Mr. Falk?

I am so pleased to discover the...

Artist behind the actor.

These drawingsare really very great.

Well, thank you very much, ma'am.

I appreciate that.

They tell me I'm in east Berlin.

I'dlike to get out of hereand see the city.

If that's art, I'm a monkey's uncle.

Mr. Falk.

Mr. Falk, I'm an artist myself, but I paint.

- You have great abilities.- Thank you.

But you must go for color. Color is so expressive.

Without color, I would die.

Talking about color, sir, you like Michelangelo?

Yeah.

Can you imagine michelangelowithout color?

You know what he saidto the pope?

The pope complimented himon the sistine chapel.

Michelangelo saidit was all in the drawing.

The rest he could get bypissing on it.

I am a stonethat slowly becomes slower...

As it sinks heavily to the bedof the deepest river.

No, I'm a wood Chuck.

You're a Daisy.

I'm a mushroom.

Is your ear ringing again, papa?

It's my friend!

Again!

Maybe he wantsto tell you something.

I never know what he wants to tell me.

You just want to go back to sleep.

Tell me something about him.

He's always travelingand never has time to write to us.

He's really a good-for-nothing.

He really can't do anything?

He can do rabbits.

Like this.

That's dumb. Anyone can do that!

He also knowshow to do wolves.

That's more difficult, you'll have to admit.

Watch out, rabbit!

You see? My rabbit has a guardian angel.

Cassiel, beat it!

Let's sleep.

Is mama working late againat the " purgatory" tonight?

Someone has to earn money.

Most people you meetare missing persons.

Their names, which they love hearing out loud...

Their quirks, their unexpected grins...

Or their sudden groansin a shoe store...

As if they were at home... it's all posturing.

The night has gone to the dogs.

Don't you agreethat something awful has happened?

There is no more night.

There are hints, but what are hints compared to nights?

Stop that wiping.

Have a drink with me.

I know you won't.

That's why the nightwent to the dogs.

Don't you know...

That every nightis basicallyjust a dog?

I've heard about that before, but somehow I must have forgotten it.

Memory has goneto the dogs as well.

You're right.

You're so right.

Actually, they're missing personswho have reappeared.

They know that we... oops!

What do we reallyknow? Now I lost my train of thought.

Don't drink too much again, winter!

Let's talk Turkey, Mr. Baker.

I hate workingin the dark like this.

I don't know whyyou're looking for this Hanna!

Why should I help you find her?

This case is for the birds!

Take your dollarsand hire an amateur detective.

Maybe you'll get iuckyand find one!

Mazeltov, Mr. Baker!

Mazeltov is good.

It's got a snappy sound... mazel-tough!

I'll turn the tables on him!

I'm sorry.

Can't be him, in Berlin!

I must see Tony baker, now!

You picked a bad time.

Don't tell mewhat I've picked!

Tell baker that winter is here.

Looks like an interesting game.

Very interesting.

Your 1000 and another 500.

I'm in.

$500 to see you both, gentlemen.

Well, my friends, your 500, and I'll raise you another 500.

Your500".

And...

With this hand I can'tlose.

Another...

5,000.

I'll bring you down, baker.

Be careful, Peter patzke.

I'll take you to the cleaners, patzke!

But not tonight.

The stakes are too high for me.

It's all yours, herr patzke.

I am out.

Me too.

Nobody looks into my cards, ever.

Excuse me, gentlemen. I have some business to attend to.

So, winter, what can youreport to me this time?

Report to you?

Let's talk Turkey, Mr. Tony baker.

I'm... uh... working in the dark.

I don't enjoyfollowing this woman.

This case is for the boards! I mean birds.

Gety ourself an amateur, you understand?

Nothing. I don't go for this bullshit.

Come on, winter.

You had an assignment. I don't get it.

Couldn't you find her?

Assignment! Don't make me laugh. You know what an assignment is?

In otherwords, you couldn't find this woman.

I found another person.

A certain Anton Becker, born in 1937 in Hirschberg.

Becker's father, whose first name was also Anton...

Joined the Nazi propaganda ministrythat same year.

Wife and children followed himto Berlin a few weeks later.

So what? A typical move to Berlin.

Yes, maybe so. But there's more.

1945, only the boy and his fatheremigrated to america.

Raised in Los Angeles, usa.

In germanyhe is presumed dead.

No contact with his sister, living at that time in the Soviet zone.

The mother disappearedin the postwar chaos.

Education...

Education... none. Wait... yes.

Majored in history. Quit studies. He became a car dealer in Detroit.

Married, divorced, bankrupt.

Back in Berlin since 1990.Various p.O. Addresses, east and west.

Since the reunification, Tony baker, film distributor.

Import-export, joint ventureswith many eastern-bloc countries.

Except most of your businesshas nothing to do with movies!

Something's fishy.

I've kepta record of expenses.

Give me a call, Mr. Baker, or send me a postcard.

I may send you a cement blockand a chain for your neck.

Mazeltov, Mr. Becker.

Lousy luck to you!

Charge it to Mr. Tony baker. Ha! "Lousy luck"!

In Berlin, after the wall

It's very nice

It's paradise

I should take notes. I knew it.

I had this great line last night.

I thought I'd never forget it, and nowl have.

It's gone. What was it about?

What did I do last night?

I was in the car. I drove down the street.

Excuse me.

Could you take meto rumelsburg?

I never heard about it. You know where it is?

You're asking me? I've been in this city twice.

Once six years agoand tonight.

Sorry, I don't know where rumelsburg is.

Is it in east Berlin? Because I never drive in the east.

But this is the east. You're in the east.

You know, there was an incidenta couple of years ago.

They tore down a wall. I don't know if you recall...

But for me it was a big thing.

So I'm walking five hoursjust to take in the city.

I suppose I could take it infor another hour.

Can you find rumelsburgin an hour?

I can try, but rumelsburg is a sub-city.

Shit! Where's he wanna go?

Now you're sleeping, raissa.

In your child's dream...

The day's images tumble aroundwith all your memories.

I see them before me.

And you see me, but just in your dream.

You know that I'm beside you.

If only you couldkeep this knowledge...

Without having it chased awayas you grow up.

I don't want to know anything!

It doesn't take muchto be happy.

Where's my coffee, Louis?

Smoke, naked girls... that would be great.

Good ideas always come too late.

I'm almost weary, cassiel.

It's so exhausting to love peoplewho run away from us.

Why do they shun usmore and more?

Because we havea powerful enemy, raphaela.

People believe morein the world than in us.

And to believe still more...

They've created an imageof every thing.

They expect imagesto allay their fears...

Fulfill their dreams...

Provide their pleasures...

Satisfy their longings.

Human beings didn't masterthe earth.

The earth has becometheir master.

Remember how simpleit once was?

We would appear to themand put words into their hearts.

We could say, "fearnot, I've come to proclaim..."

That's when we werethe only voices.

Now people are besiegedby new lies every day.

Ever louder, baserand more intrusive lies...

Which dull their senses...

So they're unableto hear our message.

"But the heart of this peopleis grown hard...

Their eyes are closed...

And their ears can't hear...

Lest they see with their eyes...

And hear with their earsand understand with their heart."

How I long to beone of them!

To see with their eyes...

To hear with their ears...

To understandhow they experience time...

How they learn about death...

How they feel love...

And how they perceivethe world.

Tobe one of them...

And sobe come a brightermessenger of light, in these dark days.

Let us part for today, raphaela.

Raphaela!

It'shappened!

I've become one of them!

It's crazy!

Where did you come fromso suddenly?

Can you hear me, raphaela? Are you still there?

Just don't leave me alone!

Aren'tyou gonna put me down?

Come, sit next to me.

It's so vivid here!

So many colors!

And so warm!

But you're wearinga winter coat.

A winter coat?

Why not?

You're wearing a scarf.

Do I talk too loudly?

It's okay.

Try to whisper.

Whisper?

Whisper...

Like this?

Now shout loudly!

Hello!

Not bad, eh?

Where are you?

- I'm raissa.- I know.

And you?

Cassiel.

Weird name.

You think so?

You... you look so familiar.

Be careful.

You be careful, too.

I had no idea, raphaela!

This light, for instance.

I think it's neon.

You can't imagine how cold it is, and what harsh outlines it creates.

It's a light for travelers becauseit drives people into high gear.

We always wonderedwhy they were constantly in a rush.

Now I know. It's the light.

They've pitted itagainst the sun.

They're caught upin their damn speed, I tell you.

Enough for now.

You won't believewhat's still ahead of me.

I have to get organized, make plans, think.

Now I can intervene, mingle.

Now I'm human.

Yesterdayyou were a zombie?

Edgar! Stop bothering people.

In the beginning, there was no time.

After a moment, time began with a splat.

What?

Excuse me. You were talking to me?

Yes.

What did you say?

There's a word on your forehead, cassiel, written with tears.

It's a word for loss...

Describing someone who wantedto see paradise from the outside...

And never found his way back.

A word waiting to appear one dayjust for the tiniest moment.

- How do you know my name?- The name is not important.

It's the wordon your forehead.

Guard it.

Try your luck?

One, two, three! Only a hundred marks.

Hundred marks. It's a lot ofmoney.

Sometimes it's a lot. Sometimes it's nothing.

I'm completely broke. I have no money at all.

I'll do you a favor.

I'll take that off youfor a hundred marks.

My armor?

I'll give you 200 for it.

It's easy.

You just gotta pay attention.

That's impossible!

- Where is everybody?- Hey! What are you up to?

Hands off. Let me go!

I lost. I lost everything!

Old hunters never die.

They just fade away. I know.

But not me. Never.

What do you wantfrom him?

He just doesn't belong here.

He's irregular.

So what?

There's darkness pouring down, my dear, and it's deep enough to drown you.

You talk about darknessbecause you're in love with it.

Honey, I hate it.

It's rotten and dull.

Frankly, it stinks.

Give him a chanceto find it out.

You want clouds, you can't forget the wind.

What's your name? You must have a name.

Of course. I'm not just anybody.

Right.

What's so hard? Just a name!

If you want, spell it backwards.

What's your name?

Raven.

You must feel better already.

Spelled like the bird?

Yes, raven.

- First name?- Ralph.

What did you say?

Nothing. Keep writing.

Refugee... victimof robbers and horse thieves...

Beginner... sensitive... destitute...

Specialist and iaymanall in one, you might say.

One thing at a time, Mr. Raven.

Where do you live?

Where do you sleep?

Around.

Around? Here and there?

The pizzeria, "casa Dell'Angelo."

You sleep in the oven, I suppose?

- You don't believe me?- No!

They couldn't keepthe real raven in here.

He'd fly right out. But me?

Cassiel.

Damiel!

- Tomorrow you'll have cramps.- What's that?

You'll find out.

- Ever looked in there?- No.

My neighbor, a great woman. She opens at noon.

That's myjoint. You know it.

Smaller than I thought.

Beginnings are always hard.

First, I think, a small Espresso...

With three, four, five sugar cubes.

Then a brandyto warm the belly.

Then a cappuccinowith warm, frothy milk.

- Then prosciutto.- Prosciutto.

- Parmigiano.- cheese.

- Olives.- olives.

A shower and warm clothes.

- Yes.- I'll make you a pizza.

Good morning, gentlemen.

He's the ringing in your ear?

Yes.

Miss, from now onyou can call me uncle Karl.

Damiel told us lots about you...

But we reallydon't know anything.

Did he stop travelingto stay with us?

He'll tell you.

Tell about your travels, uncle Karl.

All right.

Recently I came from...

The far north...

From Norway...

Which you could guessfrom my clothes.

I had plannedto catch reindeer and elk.

I told you he wasa good-for-nothing.

Actually, I was bittenby one of those animals.

There I was with my bite, wondering...

Who could heal me? Then I knew.

A lap lander, of course!

So, I slogged ontoward lapland...

Through blizzards, fighting offwolves...

Squinting all the whilebecause of the northern lights!

You understand his story?

I understand completely. It's interesting, uncle Karl.

My papa also told me...

A mysterious story.

He said he fell from the sky.

Doria, leave him alone now.

Karl hasn't eatenin a long time.

I'll be staying for a while. I'll tell you many stories.

So much!

Uncle is hungry.

Okay.

Olive.

Watch out, it's stuffed.

Finally! I can be useful.

Let's get rid of this thing.

I'll put it where it can'tdo any harm, raphaela.

My first good deed, the first of many.

Hair color: Reddish.

Who'd have thought it?

Six marks.

The cost of iivingis so high, raphaela.

Identity.

What is that, actually? They mention it a lot.

We'll know soon.

"Look at the birdie."

Without identity, you're nobody here, raphaela.

Last name, first name, date of birth...

I'll need all that now.

Without a picture of yourself, you're nobody.

Only with a proper picturedo you become somebody.

The right name is half the battle. Short and snappy is best.

A name is just a name. Karl engel.

That's me.

- Should I wrap them?- No, they're fine.

That's me. Ouch!

No.

That's not me.

Karl engel, huh?

Blue eyes... how original!

Original? Don't talk! Just listen!

I need a passport in this name. It's not pretty...

It's downright ugly.

But since I cannot usemy previous name...

I'm prepared to go...

To extremes!

Just take it easy.

We don't let anyone down.

It takes two days...

And 3,000 big ones. How about a small advance?

Produce something for your money first. I'll be in touch.

"The man with the cut flowers."

- How was your first day?- Good.

What's the house drink?

Cherryjuice.

Then I'll have cherryjuice.

That's what the men drink here?

- Would damiel drink this?- Yes, he likes it.

Is he a typical man?

Yes, but don't model yourselfafter him!

- He has more experience.- 50 what?

Most people only know...

That the worldand all life in it...

Just simply exists.

I've always wanted to know...

Whether the world is the samefor men and forwomen.

Are women different?

Women are human beings.

They carry a human light.

Men search and search...

Until they find the warmththat they're always missing.

Until they're understood.

That's all I can say.

Son of a bitch!

I've been looking foryouall over the place.

You been sitting herethe whole time?

Let me buy you a drink.

Do we know each other?

I know everybodyl've ever drankwith.

- Maybeyou should ask him first if... look.

I'm buying, and I think he looks thirsty.

Prosit.

This is Brandy.

It smells...

Like nothing.

It tastes...

Like something burning.

Abso-fucking—iutely!

Down the hatch.

Know what you're drinking?

Sure. Firewater!

Exactly. Let's have another round.

There is no differencebetween men and women.

They are all the same.

So long as they carry a iightdeep inside them.

Fire!

What I have to do is...

We must learn not to worship womenall the time.

Oh, man, that's bullshit.

They really eat that shit up!

Are you sure? Thank you.

I just can follow my instincts.

Miss...

Can you... cocktails?

No trace of the police yet...

And we're trapped.

Karl.

"The world grieves for Willy Brandt"

Every thing goes byso fast here, raphaela.

A day hereis like a blink of your eye.

A week is like an angelturning his head.

A human life is like...

Well, I don't know that yet.

Good morning.

Breakfast time.

I'd like to buy something.

I don't sell crusts.

How about something else?

Waffles? Ca kes?

With poppy seeds?

You just want to swipe something.

- Pardon me?- I know.

You talk, I turn around, you steal.

Now, listen...

Here.

I have money.

What's that for? Nothing here costs pennies.

Anything else? Otherwise, scram!

Yeah. Brandy!

Oh, not again!

Yes.

Shit!

You're nuts!

Iwasn't evenlistening in on you.

Try listening now!

So this is loneliness, raphaela.

It's really bad.

No one hearswhat the other feels.

No one iooksinto the other'sheart.

Nobody asks anything, not even for directions.

What am I doing here?

Just watching day turn tonightand back to day?

Nothing makes sense.

I must notlose sight of my mission:

How do humans see and hear?

All I can say right now is, it's all enticingly beautiful!

It's warm...

The evening settles in...

The birds have a celebration...

The sky turns pastel colors.

But what's beyond it?

I no longer see or hearthe breath of eternity...

The universal laws, orthelightoflove.

For humans, raphaela, I think there is no beyond.

Each one creates his own worldwithin his own vision and hearing.

He remains a prisoner in it.

And from his cellhe sees the cells of others.

Hurry, doria!

Was that Karl?

Yes, but we won't tell papa.

Raphaela! Where are you?

I know you're here!

Give me a sign. You're all here.

Today is Sunday.

I don't knowwhich Sunday.

Time passes too quickly. I don't have the stamina.

Where are you?

This is no life.

No life at all.

Raphaela!

You're all here. I know it. You're all here.

I can't go on.

We humans are confinedby what's visible, raphaela!

Only what we can see matters. It's all we believe in.

Invisible things don't count.

Only the thingswe can touch...

Truly exist forus.

I also take pennies. Every bit helps.

Step lively! Watch the closing doors!

I'm coming.

You're all losers.

Yes, you too.

Forget it! You're the snows of yesteryear!

I'll make sure it doesn'tsnow tomorrow. Understand?

Everything...

What the fuckare you going on about, man?

Before...

For Christ's sake, don't worry about snow.

Gaup

I know you!

I saw your concert.

Why can't I be good?

I swear, if I knew, I would tell you.

Come on. You can do it.

Why?

Why not?

Not bad, winter.

But that's not my thing.

I prefer the 19th century. My dad used to collect those.

You could buy themby the square yard.

If you had money.

I have some interestingsquare inches here.

Let me see.

That's the one!

Winter, that's a sloppyjob!

Bad workmanship! Your reputation's at stake.

Don't worry about me.

Photo retouchers areoverworked these days.

You know, like the tipof trotsky's shoe.

But not a whole hand!

It can happen.

Who is missing?

Precisely those whom you suspect.

Your "missing persons."

I'll take this one.

But clean...

Without any slipups.

I've got 20 negativeswe need to discuss.

Who trusts negatives nowadays?

I'll take this too.

Because we americansare so sentimental...

I'll giveyou $5,000.

But for the real McCoy, eh?

Is that a fair deal?

Jesus!

Are you ill, young man?

Don't fall onto the paintings!

- Shit!- don't come back, scumbag!

Let's see what you're made of, you two-fifths human!

Come on!

Jesus Christ!

- Watch the closing doorsl-you're crazy!

Do you do this often?

You could have brokenevery bone in your body!

Does anything hurt?

My spine. Especially between the shoulders.

You might have internal injuries.

I do. I'm one big injury.

I'm going to dieright here in your car.

At this point, I usually get a laugh!

And probably a big checkforyour pain.

It's more a shock. I could use some "shock money"!

Let's say...

3,000 cash!

Are you nuts?

Only complete idiotswould carry that much cash.

I need it for someonewho only takes cash.

That's my problem.

Okay. Let's go see him together.

One moment. A few more details.

What's he doing?

He's had my picture, my name, forweeks.

Mr. Engel, if my marbles are working right...

Am I buying youa passport?

I hope so.

References are so important!

A certain winteruses his service.

Winter?

Tell me...

Do we happen to know the same winter, by any chance?

Maybe. I only know him casually.

Ishadowed him once.

Well, then, do you have any more pain?

Not right now.

Ready to diveinto the next car?

Provided, of course, it's got a sliding roof.

No.I'm a free man now.

I'll show my passportto anyone who bothers me.

You do that.

But then what?

The future is open to all. That's what I've observed.

I'm a good observer.

I realized that.

That should come in handysomehow.

Come on. I have a proposition to make.

An offer you can't refuse.

It sounds good.

What have they doneto you?

You look great!

Gratefully returned.

Things are looking up?

- You're moving up in the world!- I'm doing business.

As a silent partner.

This is my old friend, Karl.

My name is emit flesti.

How do you do?

E- m-i-t f-I-e-s-t-i.

How do you do?

Pleasure to meet you.

Looks like you've donepretty well for yourself there, Karl.

Let me guess. You're an entertainer.

Wait, wait, wait.

Maybe you're in advertising.

Nothing like that at all, Mr. Flesti.

It's an ordinary kind of business.

I'm a business partner.

What kind of business?

- Import-export.- oh, hell.

It's not reallyany of my business anyhow.

But you look smart.

And I can seeyou're going places.

- Good-bye, damiel.- Bye-bye.

I'll be seeing you, Karl.

Long ago...

There must have been a golden ageof Harmony between heaven and earth.

High was high, low was low.

Inside was in, and outside was out.

But now we have money.

Now, everything's out of balance.

They say time is money...

But they got it all wrong.

Time is the absenceof money.

Would you agree, Karl?

What can I add to that?

Time is running awayfrom me, Mr...

Speedy Gonzalez.

He sure talks a lot.

What a pile ofmoney. Do you owe him?

Few things fall from the sky.

Time is precious.

You made it back!

I knew it!

That's great!

Wait.

More, more, more, more!

Now up! And swing it!

There's nothing better than this.

There's nothing greater!

It's like the old days! Great!

He's good.

He's getting the hang of it.

Just leave him alone.

I cut him some slack...

But it's only a question of timebefore I nail his ass.

Leave him alone.

Please.

To serve. To finally serve!

Serving is the best path, raphaela.

I'm starting from scratch.

Waiter...

You'll make captain some day.

- The water is too warm.- Oh, sorry.

Charlie, scratch my back, will you?

That's enough.

This must be a joke, patzke!

He has seentoo many bad movies.

No discussions. I said the other foot.

Excuse me.

What's up?

You gotta be nuts, patzke!

You're from Detroit, Mr. Baker. Don't they do this there?

Man, wake up! This is Berlin.

We always welcomenew ideas.

Especially American ones.

And that cement...

Within three minutes...

Will be bone-dryand rock-hard.

And good and heavy.

By then you'll have signed over your entire inventory to me.

Including your client iistsand everything else.

Don't move!

No way! You'll never get them.

You think I'm dumb.

But nowtime's on my side.

It's no longer a joke.

He's crazy.

Are you really serious, patzke?

You'll get 20 years for this!

Shut up!

Charlie?

You see what you've doneto my Charlie?

What's going on? Hands off, moron!

Shit!

Don't point it at me! Him!

Attaboy. Gentlemen?

It's collecting time.

And now pull your boss from the waterbefore he gets wet.

You drive.

We have another deal today?

A big deal.

Today we drink to friendship.

Here. Join me.

Friendship is the biggest deal.

Right? The biggest of them all.

Cheers.

It's crazy...

But I'm just beginning to graspwhat you did for me today.

It was a pleasure.

Can igo?

No.

Karl...

I want...

I want to thank you.

I want to do something for youin return.

Tell me what you'd like.

My friends should live well. You hear?

I want to participate. A percentage.

You'll get one!

My father always said:

"Trust no man.

But if you find one you can trust, buy him immediately."

You know...

I just made up my mind.

I'll give you two percentof my business. All right?

Shake, partner!

I won't consider less than five.

Three.

Six.

You're really great, Karl!

Let's have another one.

Okay, five percent is fine.

Five percentofmy honest business...

For a hundred percentofyour honest face.

That's a deal.

I really can't complain.

The rent they charge down hereis dirt cheap.

I could even have hadall the hangars...

Where they used to assemblethe messer schmitts.

You know, Karl...

You're my partner.

You've got to seewhere all the stuffis stored.

- Down here?- Why not?

I find it pretty depressing.

One thing you've got to remember, Charlie.

If you deal in trash, you don't need a fancy address.

In the east, all they wantis porn films.

Be careful, Karl.

Porn and violence. Isn't that weird?

Preferably, both at once.

They're sickofthe so-called " new man."

And since they're allshort offunds...

They pay withwhat they have plenty of.

What's that?

Be patient.

It's a joint venture.

Shut up, khadafy, and sit down.

Sit!

Don't be afraid.

He's a sweetie pie.

Hello, my beauty.

You'll get used to him.

To him, too. Right, grumpy?

Right, Mr. Becker. People get used to anything.

This is Charlie engel, my new partner.

I'll continue doing movie deals, and he'll handle the rest.

What rest, Tony?

Jog along, pal. I'll show you.

Lock up behind us, grumpy.

Sounds like an earthquake, right?

We're right under the runway.

The best spotfor video duplicating.

All bootleg, of course.

All bootleg.

Grumpy runsthe whole show by himself.

In here, my friend...

The Nazis stored everythingthey ever photographed.

One spark...

Would have turnedall this concrete into chewing gum.

There is your five percentofreality.

Have a good look.

Khadafy, come over here.

Keep quiet, okay?

There's enough ammoaround here...

To blow the foundation outfrom under those guys above us.

Hey, man, don't pee in your pants.

Some people like dirty pictures, and others like guns.

Theywant sex and violence.

They paywith weapons.

What can I do? That's the name of the game.

You're insane, Tony.

No, Charlie, this is business.

And if we don't do it...

Somebody else will.

Then do it...

But without me.

I don't believe any of this.

Hey, Charlie, this is no time for...

Karl, old boy, you can't just walk out on all this.

Come back, Karl...

Or I send khadafy after you.

Go get him, khadafy, and bring him back here!

Sit, khadafy!

Khadafy, you're a realson of a schmuck!

How could I have beenso wrong, raphaela?

How could I be so blind?

Can one fall to hellwithout meaning to do evil?

Without even recognizing evil?

Once one recognize sit, what should one do?

Runaway from it?

My true friend, help me back to thelight!

I'm coming.

Then I'll make use of time...

Each second, each minute, each hour.

Nothing will deter meor hinder me...

Or standin my way...

If I just get out of here!

I must do some good, raphaela.

I want to do something well.

I heard a shot.

I can't even handle this thing.

Damn it!

I didn't want to hit anyone, winter.

I'm in shock.

What are you looking for here?

I'm searching...

As usual.

I found nothing, as usual.

I wanted to warn you people...

But I came too late.

Are you in pain?

No...

Not at all.

For the first time...

I feel weighted down.

My blood has weight.

Finally...

I have weight.

I am...

Heavy.

A nice feeling.

Winter...

Will soon be over.

What did you want to warn us about?

Winter!

How often did we hold them, carry them across?

But I can't escort this one.

Are you there, raphaela, to hold us both?

He's dead, isn't he?

Did you come...

To shoot me too?

Are you...

Is that you?

I'm not afraid of you.

How long have we known each otherwithout ever having met?

I don't even know your name.

You...

You know my whole life!

I remember so little.

When you die...

You should knowhow you lived.

Come on.

Tell me my story.

Come along.

Your story...

How did it start?

I still remember.

For a long time, you resistedrepeating baby words...

But, all those years, your facehad a cunning expression.

Once, when I leaned close to you...

I heard your little body...

Filled with very loud laughter.

Your favorite tree was the walnut treein your grandfather's garden.

You would sit under itfor hours...

Yes.

Holding a small puppetthat you allowed to dance...

Only when a passing grown up complainedloudly about the mosquitoes...

That didn't bother youunder your walnut tree.

When they cut off your curls...

Because you were supposedto become a boy...

You didn't cry...

Even though you reallywanted to.

But the tip of your noseturned completely white.

During class you iovedto gaze out the window.

The windows were very high...

With panes madeofbeveled glass...

Except for the top two...

Which the teacher could open witha long pole with a hook on the end.

You always managed to sitat a desk where you could watch...

The movements of the treetops, the birds and the clouds.

With the exception ofone time.

It was then that you decidedto grow up...

At all costs, as soon as possible.

You wanted to becomean architect...

And build schoolsentirely out ofglass...

That would rotate to followthe course of the sun...

And at night, when the children were asleep...

The teachers would set the schoolback in its starting position.

When you turned 14...

You fell deeply in love...

With a girl calledmilda kosewort.

Oh, yes.

Yes.

I remember that.

And what happened later?

Hanna, hurry!

Come, Anton!

We're not getting out, konrad!

Drive on!

Gertrud!

Hurry!

Gertrud!

Hurry! Don't dawdle!

He has Anton. He mustn't get Hanna too.

I understand, Mrs. Becker.

Did you fall asleep?

Somebody has to tellmewhether I lived right.

I don't think I wasa courageous man.

Proper, yes, but not courageous.

Wasn't it courageous when you took inthat frightened little Hanna?

That wasn't anything special.

Any decent personwould have done that.

She had no family left.

Yet that's when you started askingdifferent questions...

Even thinking differently.

You becamea different konrad.

One whose job was to explainthe world, and who could too.

One who had to recountthe thousands of stories...

He had inventedthroughout the ages.

Human stories, from the most ancientto the very newest...

All meant to be the original story.

You had little Hanna to protect, and became protected yourself.

Your life had finally founda mirror.

Another life, still young, had begun to grow...

Because, in you...

Because in youshe found all she needed.

What else can I say, konrad?

You're someonewho was found.

Thank you.

Someone who was found.

Oh, I...

I must have dozed off.

How do you feel?

I feel as I did30 or 20 years ago...

Without exaggerating.

Listen, that coffee will betoo weak.

- I can tell.- It's delicious. - You want some?

No, thank you.

Look what I found. You kept it this long?

I couldn't throw it away.

That boy who flew with his fatherto america...

- Was Hanna's brother, right?- Of course.

What was his name?

Do you mean you forgot?

He was called Anton, like his father.

Anton Becker.

Well, Anton Becker came back!

You mean Tony baker?

Come on, we'll drive to town.

No...

I'll drive!

I'll drive you to town.

We have to hide hannaand the girl.

As fast as possible.

But where?

I know an old steamboat. It'll do for now.

A boat is good.

I have a plan, konrad.

He's full of the best intentions. He's pure and gentle.

You're making me cry.

- You're cruel.- No, on the contrary.

I just have no pity.

You know me. My rules know no exception.

I'm the purist.

You wouldn't recognize purityif it bit you on the nose.

Bit me?

I'm sorry to say, nothing ever will.

In the long run, I'm the one that does the biting.

In the long run, you'd be bored to death.

You're forgetting... I am the long run...

And your friend's in my way.

I'll have a coffee, please.

I can't see you, but I know you're here.

I wish I could talk to youeye-to-eye...

Because I knowyou're beautiful.

I sense it. It's always the same problem.

I know you're here, and I know you're not afraid of me...

But I can't see your face.

Come on.

Take my hand.

You want to talk to somebody?

Companero, talk to me. I am here.

Hey!

You made the switch!

Well, good for you.

- What's your name?- Cassiel. No.

Karl engel now.

Engel now. Very good. When did it happen?

Not so long ago...

But I feel much more happierthan ever before.

You see? I didn't promise you too much.

- You want a coffee?- No, thanks.

I have a problem.

What is it? Money? Papers?

That's all...

Is there anythingl can do to help you?

- Can you tell a good story?- A good story.

- Does it have to be true?- No, in the opposite.

It has to be phony as hell.

This is a very strange request.

Can you do it for me?

For a very exceptional situation?

Life is a very exceptional situation.

I want you to meetan old friend.

Do you remember the last timeyou were in Berlin?

I think we're getting cable.

We've had cablefor two years.

Not at home, dummy! Here!

That's bullshit!

Look at monitor six. That's "Columbo."

You're right. But that can't be!

But it is.

It's weird.

A technician should check it out. This cable stuffis beyond me.

That's gate 16, right above us.

- You're nuts! That's "Columbo"!- What's the actor's name?

Falk. Peter falk. Every kid knows that!

Yes. He's at gate 16.

It's a TV series.

Eh?

- Maybe someone's playing a tape.- No! It's him!

He's motioning to us!

What do we do now?

Mywife won't believe this! Switch on the audio.

Hello.

Finally!

- What took you so long?- That's him!

- Can you hear me now?- Yes.

Yes, we hear you. What do you want?

Would you open the door, please? We have an appointment at 11:00.

See? The coat.

Twenty minutes!

- Good evening.- He speaks German.

This is Mr. Falk, as you can plainly see.

Hesays we have an appointmentfor 11:00...

To scout this location...

The security center down there, where you are.

Do you havewritten permission?

- What?- have you got written permission?

We weren't notified.

Oh, that! Yes.

We have it. Here.

We've been authorized.Here.

Come in. You here the buzzer?

Yes, thanks. We're coming.

If that's falk, that's a real scoop!

You, me and Columbo.

Better than any autographs.

Look. The monitor is right here.

We have the first shot here.

Master, from above. Include the monitors.

- It's him!- So, it's good.

- Hello... the second shot here.

He says, the second shot here.

Camera here. Reverse master. Include the monitors.

- And then... the room is very nice.

Cassiel, we're inside.

It's a good ceiling. I like this.

For the lighting effect.

He likes it because...

And we have doors. One, two, three, four. It's all good.

Room is good.

First thing, now, videotape.

First we'll shoot it allon video.

- A video? Here?- Yes, with this gadget.

I'd better turn offthat camera.

- You're filming here?- We're filming here. Yes!

There's a camera.

Switching it off.

In the first scene...

Columbo is iookingcontact lens.

In this scene, columbosearches for his contact lenses...

The actor who plays Columbo.

- It is him. He plays Columbo. Sure.- Right.

You... Columbo.

He's asking youto pretend you're Columbo.

- Him, be Columbo?- Yes.

- My name is Peter.- Me too.

Horst.

Wonderful. I'm Daniel, personal assistant.

Dustin Hoffman.

Dustin Hoffman.

- Yes.- asleep.

- You... Dustin Hoffman.- Me play Dustin Hoffman?

He wants you to playdustin Hoffman, sleeping.

Sleeping, sleeping.

He means, sit down here and sleep.

So the guards cannot seethe monitors.

It's logical. One sleeps, the other looks for his lenses.

Neither sees the monitors.

Because the murderercomes through the door.

The murderer, the murdererscome in through this door.

Sure. It's great that you're here.

Right. I'm iookingfor the contact lenses.

You look down there...

And I'll be filming you.

Yes, very good.

Looking and schlaf—ing.

Cassiel, go to the runway.

Very good.

Now the criminals are coming.

You sleep, you look.

Now we'll film youfrom further back.

Quiet, because the music comes now.

Mr. Falk saysthe music starts here.

As you snore, the music starts.

Just snoring.

- I keep looking?- Yes!

You can move when you look. You can move.

Move, but keep looking.

Closeyour eyes and stay down. Wonderful!

Thank you.Mr. Falk is very pleased.

Maybe it's that hole.

The air duct.

Yes, it must be.

Without getting wet?

It's possible...

Isn't it?

How do we get there?

Let's go. Who goes first?

Can you manage on your own?

No problem.

I have a score to settle.

Karl, be careful.

Don't do anything stupid.

- You know me!- Precisely!

It's business, Charlie.

If we don'tdoit, somebody else will.

Wrong, Mr. Becker. If idon'tdoit, nobody will.

This should all gosky-high, the violence and its seeds.

Next.

- We're too far.- I can't reach.

- Should I let go?- Let it drop.

- What was that?- Karl.

- How many more?- Only about twenty.

129...

130...

131...

132.

I agree...

To carry your hardware...

But not for long.

If the stuff explodes...

Then good-bye, boat!

Who'll pay for that?

- It's my loss!- Yes, captain.

Bye-bye.

- You're leaving?- I have to. You know...

Work, home, family.

- Stay well.- Thank you.

Good luck.

You again, speedy Gonzalez?

You know the old prophesy?

"In the year of hate...

When all that is foreignis despised...

By the full September moon...

Dark riders will invadethe harbor...

Take the shipwith all the hands on board...

And sail it into hell."

I know all prophesies, but not this one.

- You made it up.- What's the difference?

It just happened.

Leave me alone. I want to go home, find a girl...

Lead a normal iifeand get a job.

That's a nice plan, but someone fucked it up: Patzke.

He hijacked the boatand took your friends as hostages.

Come on, cassiel. Hop on.

You have no choice.

Head inside! Shut the window!

Was that damiel?

Yes.

- Can you hear me?- Yes.

Let me explaina couple of things.

Time is short. That's the first thing.

For the weasel, time is a weasel.

For the hero, time is heroic.

For the whore, time is just another trick.

If you're gentle, your time is gentle.

If you're in a hurry, time flies.

Time is a servantifyou are its master.

Time is your godif you are its dog.

We are the creators of time...

The victims of timeand the killers of time.

Time is timeless. That's the second thing.

You are the clock, cassiel.

I'm attached to my life.

I don't blame you.

I love being alive.

It's rushing by so fast.

I can't do a thing about it.

The boat will get herein about an hour.

Don't be afraid.

Your guardian angel is with you.

Unbelievable.

You know, I hear momma's voice again. You're just like her.

Don't you rememberhow she used to tell us a story...

Every nightbefore we went to bed?

Come along.

Patzke, leave my family alone. Take me.

Shut up. Don't play the hero. Who wants you?

Come along, kid.

Be very quiet. Very quiet.

Don't move.

Go up the stairs.

Shit!

Get below, or the kid gets it!

You don't understand? Shit!

Get back down! You understand?

Get inside, or the kids goes overboard.

Follow the man upstairs.

Go ahead.

Move it!

Now stand there...

And keep quiet!

Okay. Come on. Let's get you dressed.

I want the whole crewin the cabin now.

All hands below deck!

Don't be afraid.

You won't get hurtif you do what I say.

Stay cool.

I'm not kidding!

Don't even thinkof trying anything...

Or I'll blow this whole tubsky-high!

What are you gaping at?

You're making me nervous.

What's up there?

It's so far away.

I am even scaredto look down.

It's close.

Come on, cassiel.

You weren't ever scaredof heights before.

It will never work.

Make yourself dead weight. Humans are heavy.

Fucking gravity!

Solong!

That was the wordon your forehead.

Him again!

Cassiel.

I must be home gain. I can hear your voice.

I always heard yours. Andl watched it all.

What's more, I saw the worldthrough your eyes.

Humans see differently. They no longer see like us.

Now their eyes can only take.

They take in, they take notice of.

Their eyes can no longer give.

They've forgotten that iightenters the heart through the eye...

And then shines back outthrough the eye from the heart.

The cycle is broken.

What happens now, cassiel?

You weren't even really here, and you're already gone.

Letus remain friends.

You!

You, whom we love...

You do not see us.

You do not hear us.

You imagine usin the far distance...

Yet we are so near.

Weare the messengers...

Who bring closenessto those in the distance.

We are not the message...

We are the messengers.

The message...

Is love.

We...

Are nothing.

You...

Are everything to us.

Let us dwell in your eyes!

See your world...

Through us.

Recapture through us...

That loving look...

Once again.

Then...

We'll be close to you...

And you...

To him.

Is your ear ringing again, papa?

Yes, it's ringing again.

It's uncle Karl.

Yes.

He has arrived.

We're on our way.