Original subtitles

This is Auschwitz, and we used to live there.

We didn't know!

- And now the curls? - [young Eva] Yes.

[Eva] After that, the prisoners were beaten by Boger with clubs and whips.

Some of them died from the beatings.

[Annegret] It's the same thing again. Coliform bacteria.

This is now the fourth case since the summer.

Unfortunately, I'm forced to terminate your contract.

- Is it because of my father? - [Mr. Bauer] No.

It's about your fiancé.

Jürgen, I'm going to break up with you.

My parents didn't even go into the camp, they were immediately gassed.

All except my brother and myself.

[Eva] "Three-day stay and inspection for the delegation officially approved."

This is Aide Mulka's office.

From this position,

my client could see neither the gas chambers nor the crematorium.

Do you still have any files from the administration at that time?

[in Polish] Were you in the camp? Did you lose relatives?

[Eva in German] David! Stop!

I don't have a brother. I was never in the camp.

[Miller] Why was I allowed to live and the others weren't?

- Where's Miller? - I thought he'd be here already.

[screams] David!

[Stefan] "The women and children were taken to the shower room first,

then the men.

In order to deceive the victims and avoid a mass panic,

signs had been put up saying, 'Bath' and 'Disinfection facilities'.

500 to 700 adults and children who had been on the same transport

were crammed into a 100-square-meter room."

FRANKFURT TAXI CENTER

CALL-A-TAXI FRANKFURT

[Stefan] "Through an opening in the roof, Zyklon B was injected into the room

using a wire-mesh column."

"Outside the gas chambers, the first thing one could hear were screams

that gradually turned into the humming sound of a multitude of voices,

like a beehive, that eventually got quieter and quieter.

Death occurred within 5 to 15 minutes."

"The Special Unit had to retrieve the bodies from the gas chambers."

[Annegret] Stefan, go to bed!

"They had to collect the dead people's jewelry, cut off their hair

and extract their gold teeth.

They had to separate the dead bodies of babies from their mothers..."

Hey! It's not okay to read other people's diaries, Stefan.

One doesn't do that.

This isn't a diary!

Eva wrote down everything that was said during the trial.

Well, well. Those are horror stories. Not for children's eyes.

It's what the people said in court.

Stefan.

You're not that stupid, are you?

Do you know how much of this Zyklon B they would have needed

to kill so many people?

[Stefan exhales]

You used to live there.

[Stefan] Before I was born.

[♪ cheerful music playing on radio]

Yes.

Yes.

One time, there was this... boy by the fence... behind our house.

I don't really know how he managed to get there.

He was about your age.

[Annegret] And he asked me for something, but I couldn't understand him.

I went, um... to the kitchen and got him some food.

A glass of milk and some sandwiches.

And then? Did you give him the food?

Mm...

There was no boy.

It's just a sentimental story, you know?

You fell for it, didn't you? You have to grow up. Come on.

Off to bed, little toad. Come, come, come, come, come, come.

[engine revs]

[Eva gasps]

- [door lock clicks] - [gasps]

[breathes heavily]

CLOSED DUE TO ILLNESS

- [insect buzzes] - [keys jingling]

THE INTERPRETER OF SILENCE

The VERDICT

- [door closes] - [object thuds]

[Eva] Is anyone in?

Where are you?

[Annegret] Welcome back, Eva. I hope you had a pleasant journey.

- Who's ill? - [Annegret] Dad.

- [Eva] What's wrong with him? - They picked him up yesterday.

[Eva] Is it his shoulder again?

With blaring sirens. He had a heart attack.

[Eva] What?

It's your fault. The court sent a subpoena.

They want our parents to testify.

You're behind this, aren't you? You did this, in your fanatic delusion!

That's not true.

They're all murderers, right? They're all monsters.

The worst crime in human history,

and our parents are among the perpetrators and right at the center of it all.

- I had nothing to do with this, Annegret! - Right!

- Where's Mother? - At the hospital.

Is he going to die, Annegret?

- Answer me! - Don't raise your voice.

Stefan has finally fallen asleep.

What happened to Dad is entirely your fault.

Is that enough information?

- I'm going to the hospital. - [Annegret] They don't want to see you.

[door slams]

[footsteps]

[breathes heavily]

Here you go.

[sighs deeply]

Sacrificing our dignity so close to the finishing line...

That's pathetic!

It's the right thing to do. It will turn things around.

As it turns out, we were lucky to bump into the Bruhns family here.

The receipt for your breakfast, Mr. Mulka.

FOUR SEASONS Invoice

[dishes clattering noisily]

The Poles were remarkably cooperative.

But unfortunately, it turned out that our maps were inaccurate.

What happened to Miller?

[Kübler] He disappeared.

I always thought there was something fishy about him.

I'm telling you this, he has absconded in Poland.

He's one of those "scouts of peace".

He's a confused young man.

The East Germans planted him as a mole.

Why? What information could he have obtained?

- We've got nothing to hide. - They're everywhere, those Stasi spies.

And why would they call him back now? That doesn't make any sense.

The Stasi has its own logic. Mark my words!

[background chatter]

[Kübler sighs deeply]

Um... I heard that Mulka was telling the truth.

Yes. And that is unfortunate.

Our maps were indeed inaccurate. Um...

The officers' homes were to the east of the fence.

He definitely wouldn't have walked past the gas chamber on his way to work.

Right, but he could see the building from his office, couldn't he?

No, that was wrong, too. The room was facing the other way.

Damn. How is that possible?

That was some extremely sloppy preparation.

You should have a serious word with Masberg and Kress.

[Kübler] But we've got the driving permits.

Uh... Those were destroyed at the end of the war.

Obviously not all of them.

[sighs]

Good morning.

Could I please speak to you for a minute, Mr. Kübler?

- What's the matter? - [Mr. Bauer] See you in court, Kübler.

- Hm? - Could we please...

[sighs]

[thuds]

Who told you that my father used to work in the camp?

Excuse me?

My father was a cook in the officers' mess.

Uh... That's news to me.

My parents were subpoenaed. Did David Miller arrange this?

[Kübler] Miss Bruhns, I know nothing about that.

My... my father had to be taken to hospital as a result!

He was so upset, and... His heart just stopped.

[breathes deeply]

[Eva] I'm not even allowed to visit him.

He won't testify.

This must be a mistake, Miss Bruhns.

We didn't summon your parents. Most definitely not.

[associate] Mr. Kübler, we'll get going.

[Kübler] Are you ready for the trial?

No. [sniffles]

[Kübler] We'll need you today.

[background chatter]

[judge] Silence!

[defense lawyer] Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[defense lawyer] The on-site visit has now confirmed that the maps are inaccurate.

As my client has stated,

he had no knowledge of the gas chambers.

Primary Defendant, do you stand by what you have said on multiple occasions,

that you didn't know about the gassings?

[Kübler] That thousands of people were murdered in the gas chambers every day?

I had no knowledge of this.

Are you trying to say that you didn't know?

I didn't.

These are driving permits for certain special transports to Auschwitz.

Driving permits for the delivery of Zyklon B.

Signed by the primary defendant.

[crowd murmurs]

[Kübler] Driving permits for May 24, 1942. 200 kilograms.

September 13, 1942.300 kilograms.

October 2, 1942.200 kilograms.

A driving permit for October 19, 1942.

- 200 kilograms. - Unbelievable!

December 1, 1942.200 kilograms.

January 13, 1943.300 kilograms.

[crowd murmuring]

All signed... by Robert Mulka.

This chemical was used for its intended purpose in the camp,

which was disinfestation.

There was an outbreak of spotted fever and typhoid fever,

both of which are transmitted by lice.

In the archives, there was also this written complaint

to the camp administration by a Polish functionary prisoner.

He worked in the disinfection department.

Miss Bruhns, could you translate this, please?

"February 18, 1943. To the camp administration. Please take note...

[typewriter clacking]

The Zyklon B supplied by Degesch, Hamburg, is not odorized.

[Eva] It is not suitable for vermin control."

Could you explain this, Prosecutor? What does that mean?

Odorization is a safety precaution.

A distinctive odorant is added to an odorless gas as a warning system.

But this gas was not meant to be used for disinfection.

The people there were not supposed to be warned.

Besides, you need four kilograms of Zyklon B to gas 1,000 people.

[crowd murmuring]

[judge] Silence in the courtroom. Silence, please.

- [public member 1] Animals! - [public member 2] Pigs!

- Pigs! You're a murderer! - [officer] Sit down!

This amount alone would have been sufficient

to gas more than 300,000 people.

[judge] Thank you.

[judge inhales deeply]

[exhales sharply]

Primary Defendant, do you still maintain

that you didn't know anything about the gassings?

We need to talk. We'll have to change our strategy.

As I have said, there's no other way.

[defense lawyer] We really need to confer now.

I request a recess to confer with my client.

[judge] I see.

The hearing is adjourned for... five minutes.

[crowd murmuring]

[mouthing]

You were in Poland too, right?

Dr. Jerichow told me that this young man, Mr. Miller, is missing.

An impulsive young man. I used to be just like him.

I'm worried about him.

I don't think that Mr. Miller would appreciate it

if you, of all people, were worried about him.

[Kübler] What did he want?

He asked about David.

Hm...

[judge] Silence, please.

What is the result of your consultation, Defense Counsel?

My client admits to having had knowledge of the gassings.

- [thumps] - [judge] I see...

[crowd murmuring]

[judge] Silence!

[Dr. Jerichow] But he was always opposed to what was happening in the camp.

He wanted to leave. He even volunteered to go to the front.

But to no avail.

Are you trying to portray him as a resistance fighter now?

- [crowd laughs] - That's laughable!

[Dr. Jerichow] I would like to call a witness to the stand

to provide evidence of my client's mindset.

I move for the court to hear the testimony of the witness Ms. Prieß.

Prieß? Who's that?

Prieß...

Could you pass me that?

I cannot find her name on your witness list.

Just a second.

- Do you have it? - Ah...

- Nothing. - Well...

I must have got the lines mixed up.

I move for the court to hear the testimony of the witness Edith Bruhns.

[Kübler] We have received no such request.

We request for the court to reject the introduction of this witness' testimony

without prior assessment.

The defense counsel's motion is granted.

[judge] Please usher in the witness.

[Dr. Jerichow] Very well.

[exhales]

[door opens]

[judge] State your name, address, and occupation.

My name is Edith Bruhns, née Wilms.

I live at 218 Berger Straße. I'm the owner of a restaurant.

[judge] Take your seat, witness. I must caution you...

In court, you are obliged to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.

I swear on the life of my children.

[judge] All right. Take your seat, witness.

[typewriter clacking]

[judge] When did you arrive at the camp?

In September 1940.

[judge] And in what capacity?

I accompanied my husband who worked there as a cook in the officers' mess.

[judge] What did you know about the camp?

I knew that prisoners of war were being detained there.

[judge] And what did you witness there? Did you work in the officers' mess?

No, I had to take care of my two young daughters.

[judge] So you've never set foot in the camp yourself?

[public member coughs]

I have.

There was a hairdresser.

[public member] Nazi whore!

[judge] Silence!

I noticed that regular people were also imprisoned there.

I mean, people who weren't criminals.

[judge] And that didn't make you want to leave?

It did.

I told my husband to request a transfer.

But then they would have drafted him for the army.

They needed soldiers at the time.

He was fearing for his life.

I stopped trying to persuade him.

[judge] What did you know about the gassings?

When the wind came from the east, we had to shut the windows

because of the ash.

[judge] Answer my question.

Yes, I knew.

[crowd murmurs]

[judge] Did you never spare a thought for the people

who were dying next door to you?

One day, Annegret, my older daughter, came to me.

She said, "There's a boy by the fence." And indeed...

A boy had made it to our garden.

By the time I got there, he was already dead.

Starved to death. You could tell.

I let our neighbor know.

The boy was then taken away.

[chair scraping]

[Dr. Jerichow] Who was your neighbor?

Mr. Mulka. Robert Mulka.

You and your husband surely participated in the social life of the officers?

Yes, occasionally.

[Dr. Jerichow] Did you attend the camp officers' Christmas party in 1943 as well?

Possibly.

[Dr. Jerichow] Do you recall a specific incident that happened there?

I... don't know what you mean.

Didn't you file a complaint with the Reich Security Main Office in Berlin

against the primary defendant one day after the party?

I... don't remember.

[crowd murmurs]

[Dr. Jerichow] "Reich Security Main Office."

- [judge] Mm-hmm... - [Dr. Jerichow] "Complaint."

[judge] You don't remember?

But you surely realize what filing such a complaint meant at that time?

Why did you file a complaint against the primary defendant?

[public member coughs]

[sighs deeply]

[♪ suspenseful music]

Robert Mulka had made disparaging remarks about Dr. Goebbels' Sportpalast speech

and expressed doubts about the final victory.

My husband and I wrote the complaint together.

[Edith] It was our duty.

[typewriter clacking]

[crowd murmuring]

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Eva screams]

Miss Bruhns?

She's your mother, right?

Bruhns... They're your parents!

First a cook at a concentration camp, and now they own the German House.

[background chattering]

[baby cooing]

RECEPTION

- Nurse, did anyone hand in a briefcase? - [nurse] Mm-mm.

[indistinct chatter]

Nurse Ingrid?

Have you seen my briefcase? It's dark red and made of leather.

No, I haven't seen it.

All right, thank you.

[muttering]

What's that?

What are you giving him?

[baby cooing]

Shit.

I'm giving him shit.

[object clanks]

- [baby coos] - [shushing]

[baby coos]

This is all your doing.

You've been infecting all of these boys...

with coliform bacteria.

Why?

Annegret, my God! Some of them...

They almost died!

Just think of Christian Behrenz...

Well, he didn't die because I took care of him.

I'll have to report you.

No, but I saved them all!

Christian... and... and... Frank.

And Martin and Thomas. I saved them all.

[doctor] I'll have to report you to the director.

He'll have to... call the police. This is grievous bodily harm.

- No, but they didn't die! - Don't!

I took care of all of them!

Why don't you understand? No!

But I... I fed them, and then they didn't die,

because I took care of them.

You said... You... You said that I'm a hero!

[Annegret sniffles]

Hartmut. Hartmut! Hartmut! Hartmut, please.

Please, Hartmut! Please, please, please, please, Hartmut!

Don't... Don't take this away from me. This is all I have.

Don't... Don't destroy my life! Please!

You must never be allowed near children again.

[phone ringing in distance]

[Annegret sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

[door closes]

[♪ "Straßenjunge" by Erich Storz playing on radio]

[Eva] Dad?

What are you doing here?

[Ludwig mutters]

I'm pureeing a deer.

You know what I mean.

Well, I discharged myself. [clears throat]

On my own responsibility.

[Ludwig] It... it wasn't a heart attack.

It was just a minor... cardiac episode, and I...

I... I want to be with you all.

I just got back from the court. Mom was there.

I... I... uh... I had asked her to tell you beforehand.

But she said it was... by no means certain that she would be called to the stand.

[Ludwig] She didn't want to cause any unnecessary panic.

Where are you going?

Eva, child?

[Ludwig] Eva! Eva, please! Eva!

[keys jingling]

Let's talk, Eva.

[Ludwig] Please.

[Eva] I don't want to share a house with you anymore.

Because I testified for the primary defendant?

He's actually just been arrested.

My testimony didn't help him at all.

I had to go because of the subpoena.

Eva, you always wanted us to tell the truth. And now you can't handle it.

[Eva] Just stop acting stupid.

Others were there, too.

At the Christmas party, when Mulka made that comment.

If we hadn't reported him...

then someone might have reported us.

It might well have been a test of our loyalty.

That's what it was like back then.

We were just scared, Eva.

We were scared of being sent to the camp ourselves. To the gas.

And you fattened up those murderers!

You should have poisoned them all.

You don't say! Eva, please. Don't be so naive.

They would have killed your father and me and you and Annegret.

We're no heroes.

Did you at least consider it?

It would have been entirely pointless, Eva.

I mean, other people would have replaced us.

You have no idea how many there were. They were everywhere!

Who are "they?"

And you, who are you?

You wore the uniform.

You shut the windows when the wind came from the east.

You were part of it. You are "them" too.

Maybe you didn't murder anyone, but you let it happen.

I don't know what's worse.

Tell me what's worse!

[Eva sniffles]

[♪ solemn music]

Room number six is sunnier, and it's the same price.

I want room number eight.

[receptionist] Very well.

How long are you planning to stay?

[Eva] I don't know yet.

Then you'll need to pay for four weeks in advance.

And no gentlemen visitors allowed.

I'll manage!

[♪ somber music]

[phone keys dialing]

Hello, Eva Bruhns here.

[Kübler] Miss Bruhns, what happened in the courtroom today...

I just wanted to tell you, I won't be coming anymore.

It's a pity to lose you so close to the finishing line.

But I can understand you.

I've got one more favor to ask.

Could you please find out something about a Polish prisoner?

He worked as a hairdresser.

His inmate identification number was 20167.

[reporter on TV] The evidence has shown with crystal clarity

that we are dealing with a murder facility of unimaginable horror...

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Whose operation relied on the conscious and deliberate collusion...

Good evening, Father.

- [Wally mutters] - [TV chatter continues]

- I need your opinion. - [Wally] It all sucks!

[Jürgen sighs]

I've got something nice for you. Our linen catalog.

We're considering a print run of 100,000 copies.

[Wally] Everything hurts today.

I'm sorry.

[paper tearing]

[Jürgen] Would you like a painkiller?

Why does that young lady no longer come to visit?

You've been asking this a hundred times a day.

[Wally] Well, why doesn't she come anymore?

She broke off the engagement, Father.

- [Wally] Why? - [sighs]

Sometimes it just doesn't work out.

[switch clicks]

[reporter on TV] How can one defend these murderers and monsters?

Many citizens are now asking this question.

Main defense attorney Dr. Jerichow

is currently making his closing argument behind closed doors.

[Dr. Jerichow] With regard to the case of my client Boger,

I would like to point out the problematic nature of the witnesses' testimony.

My client wasn't posted to Auschwitz until December 1942

and he was only assigned to the Political Department in January 1943.

There are, however, several witnesses who, despite in-depth questioning,

maintain that they saw him in the summer and autumn of 1942

as a member of the Political Department.

The witness Paweł Sowa, for instance, testified

that he had seen my client at an execution of prisoners

by firing squad on October 28, 1942.

In a camp where quite a few of the non-commissioned SS members

looked similar in stature to the defendant.

He's about six feet tall and had then, as he does now,

a certain military leanness about him, so it isn't surprising.

[public member coughs]

The witness statements show how easy it was to get people mixed up.

It is only possible to recognize someone wearing a uniform

with certainty if one knows that person really well.

The different ranks look so similar that even commanding officers

frequently mistook one non-commissioned guard for another.

This is a fundamental issue affecting the whole trial.

[defendants thumping]

[Dr. Jerichow] Thank you. I request for the defendants who were involved

in the segregation process to be acquitted.

These men clearly acted contrary to Hitler's extermination order by sending

people into the camp and not to the gas.

There might even be some who would argue that these men

saved countless people's lives.

[crowd murmuring]

[judge] The defendants can now make their final statements.

Primary Defendant Mulka.

[judge] Please stand.

[birds chirping]

[Robert] I hereby entrust my future

and that of my unfortunate family to the high court...

in the firm belief that it will carefully weigh

all of the truly fateful circumstances

that led me to my regrettable predicament at that time...

and take them into consideration.

Thus,

I remain in the hope and expectation

that the court

will come to a just decision.

[keys jingling]

[♪ tense music]

[indistinct chatter]

The trial lasted for more than 100 days during which...

[in English] ...packed with people all waiting to hear the verdict

on the 22 defendants here today after a grueling 20-month trial...

[reporter in Italian] These murderous beasts who caused the death

- of millions of innocent people... - [in German] Mr. Mulka, a photo!

- Are today condemned... - [indistinct chatter]

[♪ tense music]

[Mr. Bauer] Not one of the accused has taken responsibility for his actions.

Prosecutors, witnesses, and the public have been waiting for 20 months

to hear a single compassionate word from the defendants.

It would cleanse the air if someone uttered a word of human kindness.

However, it hasn't happened and it isn't going to happen. Thank you.

[♪ tense music]

[in Polish] Good morning.

[in German] The courtroom is full.

There must be one more seat available.

Do you have a permit?

But you know me.

You can listen from outside.

[bailiff] The high court. All rise, please.

[judge] The jury court of the Frankfurt Regional Court is now in session.

The criminal case against Mulka and others is called.

Criminal liability of crimes committed during the National Socialist era

depends on the law in force at the time.

- Mr. Schoormann? - According to German law,

the principal offenders are Hitler and Himmler.

[officer] We're full.

Mr. Schoormann? Don't you recognize me?

But of course.

Whether the defendants acted as perpetrators...

- Why are you not inside? - That is, with intent in regard

to the principal offense...

- or as accomplices of the regime... - Come.

At the time.

The following words were inscribed above the camp gate...

"Work sets you free."

However, the invisible subtext read, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."

For behind that gate opened up a hellscape that is impossible

for the human brain to imagine and that words fail to describe.

The defendants...

are accused of murdering numerous people at the Auschwitz concentration camp...

Jews and Christians, Poles and Germans,

Russian prisoners of war and members of other faiths,

people from all over Europe.

Over the course of the many months of this trial,

the court experienced in spirit all of the suffering and anguish

that these people endured

and that will forever be associated with the name Auschwitz.

There will probably be some among us

who for a long time will be unable

to look into the joyful and trusting eyes of a child...

without being reminded of the hollow, questioning, bewildered

and terrified eyes of the children...

who took their last steps in Auschwitz.

[bystander coughs]

[judge breathes deeply through speakers]

All of the defendants invoke superior orders.

[Wally breathes heavily]

The following verdict is hereby pronounced in the criminal case

- against Mulka and others... - [Eva] I'll be right back.

[radio host] The court has just delivered its verdict

at the Gallus Community Center.

16 of the 20 remaining defendants were sentenced to a prison term.

Six defendants, including Wilhelm Boger,

the so-called "beast", received lifetime sentences.

[Mrs. Lenze] What can I say? That was ages ago. There was a war going on.

Everything was different back then.

Be careful! You always leave dark spots on the potatoes.

As perpetrators, the others were considered to be accomplices.

With this decision, the court largely follows the widely held opinion

that only a select few people in positions of authority

bear responsibility for the genocide

whereas everyone else was just following orders.

[toilet flushes]

[cubicle door opens]

[water trickling]

I'd like to ask you something.

[Diana] Go ahead.

My name is Eva Bruhns. I was an interpreter.

- I've been here for almost a year now... - [Diana] I know.

I was there the day a witness talked about Lili Tofler.

My father shot at her five times, the last shot was fatal.

Because she had written a letter.

It was a love letter.

She was just in love.

Can you forgive your father?

I'm staking everything on the hope that my child will grow up

to be a good person.

[knocks on door]

[Eva] No, I don't want any dinner tonight.

[receptionist] You have a visitor. A gentleman.

I thought gentlemen visitors weren't allowed.

[Eva] Stefan!

[giggles]

- [Eva] Hey! - [grunting]

My little toad!

[Stefan chuckles] My prickly toad lady!

Do Mom and Dad know that you're here?

They think I'm at Tommi's. But he isn't my best friend anymore.

[Eva] Why not?

His parents don't want him to play with me anymore.

Mother hit me.

I don't believe that.

She did. Because I called her a "toothless granny."

- Stefan... - She now has removable dentures.

- [muttering] - Stefan.

You can't call her that. It will hurt her feelings.

Toothless granny?

[both laughing]

Granny! Granny!

[chuckles]

And how's Dad?

The restaurant is open again.

That's nice.

[Stefan] Strange. You're all alone.

Annegret has a fiancé now.

Dr. Küssner.

He wants me to call him Hartmut. But he has to get a divorce first.

[Stefan] Hartmut... [chuckles]

I want you to come home.

I know, but I need to be alone for a while.

[Stefan] Do you think it will snow soon?

I'm sure it will.

Merry Christmas, dear Stefan!

[Stefan] Merry Christmas, Eva!

[both chuckling]

It'll be nice.

Yes.

[distant chattering]

[receptionist] Miss Bruhns?

A phone call for you.

A man with the letter "Ü" in his name...

- Jürgen? - Hans Kübler, prosecutor's office.

Hello, Mr. Kübler. How are you?

We're currently preparing new charges.

[Eva] Have you heard from David?

No.

[Kübler clears throat]

The man you're looking for, he really was the hairdresser at the camp.

I found him on the list of functionary prisoners.

His name is Wiktor Jaschinsky.

His daughter Magda worked as his assistant

until she was shot at the Black Wall in November 1944. By Boger.

And he's still alive?

[♪ pensive music]

[clattering]

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Good evening, Father.

[Wally] Congratulations.

Are you going to push me over the ledge now?

Or is patricide on paper good enough for you?

You had agreed to the transfer of ownership.

Yes.

[Jürgen smirks]

Hopefully, I'll pass away quickly.

So that I don't have to witness the company's downfall.

Thank you. You're really good at giving pep talks.

- Here. - [keys jingle]

For you.

[Jürgen] Your sacred Citroën?

To what do I owe this honor?

I want the staff to respect you.

If you drive to work in a sports car every day,

that will be difficult.

Shall we eat?

I killed someone.

A week after I found out that Mom had died.

[Jürgen] I ran away from the farm.

I wanted to make my way to you to break you out of prison.

I was in a forest.

Suddenly, there were low-flying aircraft.

The Americans were heading towards Frankfurt.

[gulps]

Yes.

I saw the anti-aircraft fire on the horizon.

One plane veered off. It was on fire.

I saw a man falling out.

His parachute opened.

He fell through the trees.

And landed directly in front of me.

I walked up to him. He was lying on the ground, unable to move.

[in English] "Help me!"

[in German] That's what he said.

[plane whirring]

I wanted to run away, but he grabbed hold of me.

So I kicked him.

First his legs, then his stomach.

And finally his face.

Until he died.

While this was happening, I ejaculated.

[sobs softly]

I just couldn't help it.

And I always thought, "That wasn't me. It was evil itself."

But it was me feeling powerless.

My revenge and my hatred.

It was me. And only me.

[sobs softly]

[sniffles]

[sobbing]

My boy.

[sighs]

Soon I'll be completely gone.

[dog barking in distance]

But I'll try to be there for you.

For as long as I can.

[breathes heavily]

[phone keys clacking]

[dishes clattering]

[distant humming]

Yes This is Jürgen Schoormann.

I just wanted to ask, Miss Bruhns, I mean, Eva Bruhns...

Does she still live with you?

She's traveling? Where did she go?

[passerby] Jacek! Jacek, come!

[♪ pensive music]

[breathes heavily]

ZAKŁAD HAIRDRESSING SALON

[in Polish] Good morning.

[hairdresser 1] Hello, come in.

[hairdresser 2] You'll see, your husband will love it.

[customer] You think so?

[hairdresser 2] I'm sure.

[customer] Well, I hope so.

[hairdresser 2 mutters]

[Eva] Thank you.

- [hairdresser 1] Take a seat. - Thank you.

[customer] Thank you.

[indistinct chatter on radio]

[hairdresser 2] That'll be the usual price.

What can I do for you?

- [hairdresser 2 mutters] - [door opens]

Take care.

[door closes]

I come from Germany.

[door chimes open]

[door closes]

She's never satisfied.

[hairdresser 1] Do you want your hair washed?

We've met before.

I was still a child.

Mom used to take me

to the hair salon in the camp.

[indistinct chatter on radio]

Please forgive us.

For what we did to you and your daughter.

You're mistaking me for someone else.

I was never in a camp.

[hairdresser 1] What shall we do with your hair?

I want you to cut all my hair.

I want you to shave my head.

Please.

I am not going to do that.

You won't look good bald.

I don't care.

[Eva sniffles]

[in German] You're not entitled to this.

[reporter on radio in Polish] Knockout, ladies and gentlemen, knockout.

That is the only word I can think of.

[door opens]

[bird chirps]

[hairdresser 2] What did she want?

[hairdresser 1] Consolation.

[hairdresser 2] I don't understand.

[hairdresser 1] They want us to comfort them.

[engine revving]

[Ludwig in German] Dear Eva.

Dear my dear daughter Eva.

We wish you merry...

a blessed Christmas.

Could you come down to the kitchen?

We have 25 pre-orders. And you accepted all of them.

We have to at least wish her Merry Christmas.

[clock ticking]

Sure, go ahead if you think that's the right thing to do.

Eva has already passed judgment on us.

[sighs]

[train engine whirring]

[bird chirps]

[bird chirps]

[bird chirps]

[bird chirps]

ARRIVALS

[indistinct chattering]

[Sissi] Miss Bruhns?

Yes?

[Sissi] You worked on that court case, didn't you? I know you from the newspaper.

- Have you been waiting for me? - [Sissi] No.

It's silly of me.

It costs time and therefore money.

But I wait here for every connecting flight from Warsaw.

Luckily, it's only twice a week.

[Eva mutters]

Have you been looking for him in Poland? Do you know anything?

Oh, you're waiting for David.

[Sissi] Well, we're not a couple, but...

Yes.

I like him, he likes me. That counts for something, right?

[Eva] That's true.

Unfortunately, I have no news about him.

I don't believe he committed suicide.

He somehow lost himself at that place.

[Sissi] And one day he'll come back?

He's got to! He still owes me 20 marks.

[Sissi] Mm.

- I can pay his debts. - [chuckles]

No, thank you. That's not what I meant.

[both laugh]

All right.

I'm getting a taxi into town. Can I offer you a lift?

Sure.

EXIT

[Sissi] I read that they're preparing another trial. Will you be involved again?

[Eva] I want to, but I have to apply first.

[Sissi] Is it really worth the effort? The sentences are ridiculously lenient.

[Eva] Yes, it's worth the effort.

Where exactly do you need to go?

The plane should have landed by now.

[Jürgen breathes deeply]

I guess it'll take Miss Bruhns another 30 minutes to get here.

It's what people call rush hour, isn't it?

[Jürgen] Yes.

[receptionist] We bought all our bed linen from you.

Excuse me?

[receptionist] Yes. You are Mr. Schoormann, right?

- Yes. - Much cheaper than buying it

from a wholesaler. How do you do that?

[dog barking]

The items are made in the GDR.

[Jürgen chuckles]

I see...

- Right, so that's why! - [Jürgen] Yes.

[receptionist laughs]

In the GDR?

[receptionist blows air]

[♪ "Sinfonia Comfort Ye Messiah" by Händel playing]

To pass the time more quickly.

Or would you prefer something more modern, Mr. Schoormann?

- Feel free to leave it on. - Yes.

I'd much rather listen to that than this so-called contemporary music.

Even the noise from a construction site sounds better.

[receptionist] The world is going down the drain.

Strange...

- [dog barking] - [footsteps receding]

[♪ "Messiah Part I Accompagnato Comfort Ye, My People" by Händel playing]

STATE SUPREME COURT

[Eva] Please take my luggage to the Guesthouse Old Frankfurt.

[rain pattering]

[♪ music continues]

[♪ "Messiah Part I Accompagnato Comfort Ye, My People" by Händel playing]

Translated by Danjela Brückner