Original subtitles

You're not even dressed.

Come on, Maria.

I don't want to be late.

Hey!

Don't you dare. Don't you dare.

You can't skip school every day. Seriously.

No, I'm not going today.

If you carry on like this, my parents will send you back to your mum.

Half the classes are cancelled anyway.

See you later.

Are you skipping school again?

She can help Alfred muck out the stables.

You can start setting the table.

Are the chickens in?

I'll do it after dinner.

- It's great we can buy all this now. - And there'll be even more soon.

Hey, I didn't get any!

Then you get this one all for yourself.

SOMEDAY

SOMEDAY WE'LL TELL EACH

SOMEDAY WE'LL TELL EACH OTHER

SOMEDAY WE'LL TELL EACH OTHER EVERYTHING

Henner's dogs killed one of the innkeeper's lambs.

Those dreadful creatures.

His poor grandparents.

If they knew how he's letting the farm fall into disrepair.

Don't exaggerate. It's not that bad.

His stallions are in good shape.

You've got to admit,

he has a way with horses.

And with the ladies.

What is it?

Hartmut's coming.

Read it to us.

"Dear Mum,

I thought I'd never be able to visit you again.

But now I can.

Germany is united again.

Father would have been so happy.

I don't really know what to say.

So much time has passed and I'm not good at writing letters.

I'd much rather talk to you.

If it's okay with you, I'll come the third week of July.

I'll bring my family: Gisela and our children, Anna and Robert.

I'm so looking forward to it.

It took all my courage to write,

even though I haven't heard from you in so long.

Your son, Hartmut."

Who's that?

Our uncle.

Alfred didn't look pleased at all.

Oh, Alfred...

- What's up with him? - Alfred is probably Volker's father.

Frieda's oldest son.

But when Hartmut left for the West, my dad got the farm.

And now the favourite son is returning.

So, now you owe me. You're coming to school tomorrow.

Yes, you are.

Maria's still here?

A pretty little chick for your coop...

She's sweet, but farm life isn't for her.

I can imagine. She won't stay.

Johannes is completely infatuated.

- She skips school and reads all day... - Yeah? Send her to the stables.

She'll stop reading there.

You're one to talk!

With your nose in a book all day while your farm falls apart.

But go easy on her, she hasn't had it easy at home.

- I heard everything. - Well, well...

She's a cheeky one, too!

Little madam.

What's it about?

Well...

it's about a father and his three very different sons,

Dmitri, Ivan and Alexei.

The father is murdered

and his son, Dmitri, is a suspect.

But it's also a love story.

Dmitri is in a tricky relationship with Katerina Ivanovna.

But then he falls in love with Grushenka, who...

is very different from Katerin, a little...

well... more passionate!

It also brings up philosophical questions...

- Are you en listening? - Of course.

What's my book about then?

Murder and love.

- What's that? - West German money from Frieda.

For my school graduation.

- You haven't even graduated yet. - I will soon, though.

Wow! How much is it?

Two thousand!

Slow down.

- I still can't believe it! - I know!

Look!

Crazy.

Let me have a go.

Wait here. I'll be back in a bit.

- Where are you going? - I'll tell you later.

Don't worry, I won't be long.

- So, here's your apple strudel. - Thank you.

Where have you been?

I've been waiting forever!

Sorry, I came back as fast as I could.

Look at this.

I was researching medium format cameras

and saw an ad for this in a photography magazine.

I'll take really good photos with this.

Is that why we came to Munich?

Yes, it is.

Henner! Stop them!

Lie down!

Lie down!

It's okay, Maria. They won't hurt you.

Sorry.

Here's to you, young man! To your graduation!

- I'm so proud of you. - Me too.

- We all are. - Cheers!

Thanks for the cake, Grandma.

Is everything okay, Maria?

Yes.

How's you mum doing?

Well...

She lost her job.

The factory closed after monetary union.

And she hates having to live with her in-laws.

All that money... You could have bought a car!

- But a camera? - Grandma...

It's not just any camera.

It's professional.

It's my future!

Come with me.

Back in a second.

Look.

I can develop everything myself.

I bought a manual.

It stinks in here.

I still need to practise.

I haven't got the exposure quite right.

But Maria...

I know what I want.

I'm going to study art.

We'll get out of here.

Maria, what will you wear when the Westerners come tomorrow?

I'm not sure.

I'll wear my skirt, the one with the red flowers.

You should dress up too. We want to make a good impression, no?

You don't even have to whip the cream now. All ready in a can...

Your hand-whipped cream was better.

Here, for you.

I withdrew it yesterday.

Thanks, Grandma.

You don't get much from your mother.

Want to go and see her?

She'll be reading upstairs.

Mum?

Mum?

Maria.

Nice to see you.

Well, my girl?

How is it at the Brendels'?

Good.

They took me in like a daughter.

Are you still going to school?

- You didn't take all your text books.

I haven't been going much, to be honest.

But I'm not the only one.

Even some of the teachers have left.

Mum...

Maybe I don't need to graduate.

I don't know where to go from here either.

Your father doesn't pay maintenance, so it might even be better...

if you trained for a job instead.

Have you heard from Dad?

Yes.

He's getting married again.

What?

Her name's Nastja and she's from Leningrad.

She's 22.

And your dear grandparents seem to be fine with it.

What am I going to do?

I have to go, Mum.

I'm just grabbing some clothes.

Wait! I'll drive you!

It'll last to the Brendels' and back.

Look out, Mum!

Stay!

Lie down.

Lie down.

Let's get it out of there.

Hey, come on!

Now I've caught you...

and dragged you into my cave.

Go.

Go!

"At night he lay there hungry for her...

and got her."

Are you here?

Yes.

Yes, Mum.

This is Gisela, my wife.

Hello, lovely to meet you.

- Hello. This is Lukas.

- Marianne - Gisela.

This is Siegfried.

Marianne!

Look, Dad!

- Was it a long drive? - Only four hours.

We came up on the autobahn...

- It was fine. - Good!

Well, these are mine Anna and Robert.

- Hello. - This is Robert.

- Hello. - Say hello.

- Hello. - Hello!

- This is where Dad grew up! - I don't believe it...

- This yours? - This is Johannes and Maria.

- Gisela. - Nice to meet you.

Alfred...

- Hello. - Hello.

Well then, I'll show you all around!

- Food will be ready soon - Right.

Okay then...

Be right there.

"At night he lay there hungry for her

and got her."

"He can have her one more time.

Is that right? He can have her one more time?

She thinks highly of herself.

Granting him the honour of one last visit...

What is she waiting for?

Shall she get undressed?

No one knows, Henner.

And I won't tell anyone.

You have to promise, Maria.

Where were you?

Reading by the river. I lost track of time.

Bring those to the table and set the cutlery.

Sorry.

It was really hard at first.

I worked on construction sites in the day and went to school in the evening.

Got my high school diploma.

Then I studied engineering for the next five years.

I've had my own planning office for almost seven years now.

Before that I was an employee.

- Did you and Gisela meet through work? - No.

We met skiing.

And what do you do?

- I'm at home with the kids. - Aren't they in kindergarten?

No. Anna's in school already, but only mornings.

- There's no after school care? - No, there isn't.

I see...

Maria, are you also from the village?

No, she's from the next village. But she lives with us now.

She and Johannes share the attic.

- Well, that's nice... - Yep, it is.

Johannes, do you have to?

It's a historical moment, Mum. You'll be glad I took them later on.

Stop it! You only see me through the camera now.

Just one...

Come on.

"I'll come for you tomorrow."

Let me know if there's anything I can do.

If you want to buy the leased land, I'd be glad to help.

- Thanks, Hartmut. - After all you've done these years...

- Yeah - Hi.

It was hard for those not in the cooperative.

We wouldn't have survived with the farm alone.

They left us less than a hectare of land.

It was the money from the sawmill

and Marianne working at the factory that saved us.

It would be good to buy the land, but...

we need more.

Twenty or 25 hectares.

We'd have to figure out the costs.

What you do here is called "biodynamic farming" in the West.

These farms get special certification.

- It costs a bit, but it's worth it. - I dunno...

Come and spend a few days in Bavaria and we'll visit a few farms.

- Yes, that sounds good. - Volker...

Oh my God... Come here!

Hey, Volker.

- Volker. - Siegfried.

- Hello, my dear. - Hi, Mum.

Have a seat.

I'm so happy you came.

- How are you? - You get by.

The company he works for shut down.

Thanks.

Well...

Money's king now, the Deutschmark...

He's right, though.

We needed more time. Our businesses aren't competitive.

Exposing them to global competition overnight was madness.

Yes...

But how else could it have played out, Volker?

Thousands had already fled.

Without the D-Mark, even more would have left.

"Give us the D-Mark, we'll stay! If not, we'll go away", you all yelled.

I didn't yell anything. Neither did Siegfried, as far as I know.

We needed a longer transition.

Everything's worthless all of a sudden. It's terrible for people here.

What does Hartmut care? He made it over there...

in the West.

- Don't argue. - Get the schnapps.

Hello, there!

That's Henner...

More pretty women this farm.

- What can we do for you, Henner? - I have a few ideas...

Is Maria here?

- I guess we're too old for you. - Oh, please.

I'd take you all but I only have two horses. She wanted to go riding.

Maria?

Hi. You wanted to join me today?

In sandals and a dress?

Put on trousers and proper shoes.

She's right. I'll wait out here while you change.

Can you even ride?

- No. - Okay, step up.

Take the reins. A little shorter.

That's good. Ready?

Let's go.

- I didn't know you could ride! - Yes, a little.

- Are you scared? - No.

Sit up straight.

Do you know Trakl?

This belonged to my mother.

"We are the wanderers without destinations

The clouds which the wind blows away

The flowers shaking in death's coolness

Which wait until one mows them down."

It's beautiful.

But also sad.

My mother wasn't from here.

Farm life wasn't for her.

She was from Berlin.

When the war was over and the Russians marched in,

her then husband, who was in the SS, shot himself.

And the Russians...

Well...

The Russians got her.

Anyway, one day she showed up here,

frightened and bewildered.

My grandparents took her in.

Only one of their three sons had survived the war.

Franz, the youngest.

And he married her.

Although she barely spoke.

Then she got pregnant.

It was completely unexpected. She was 35.

And after what the Russians had done to her...

While she was pregnant,

she started to read.

Obsessively.

In fact, she did nothing else.

And later...

she started to drink.

She lost herself in books and booze...

and never reappeared.

If people hadn't occupied Stasi offices, they'd have destroyed it all.

I think most of the files were destroyed long ago.

- The rest will end up in the archives. - Let's see.

People will demand access. Maybe my file still exists.

Don't you want to know who wrote what about you?

What good will that do me?

The only one at this table with a spotless file must be Maria.

If she has one at all.

Maria went to the Pioneers' Republic,

where they trained the future East German elite.

Pioneers' Republic?

Yes, a six-week camp at Lake Werbellin.

- Tuck in! - Oh, I'd already started. Sorry!

What did you do there?

Classes, sports, leisure activities...

All to reinforce class consciousness.

- Let her talk. - Alright, Mum.

- What do you want to know? - Everything.

Well... 

In the mornings, we had sport and music...

Pioneer songs, workers' and battle songs.

Then, during the day,

lessons, working groups, flag ceremony three times a day...

And in the evenings, we all watched Current Camera.

Everything as a community.

- How old were you? - Twelve.

I hated it at first.

I wrote to my mum asking her to come and get me.

I told her it was like a prison.

But they seized the letter, opened it...

and I was called to the Pioneer Leader's office.

Those miserable bastards.

And then we had...

this big torchlight procession.

Hundreds of kids marching and singing.

It was sort of...

exhilarating.

After that, I wanted to stay.

- Do you still know the songs? - Yes.

You never forget them.

My favourite was "The Song of the Peat Bog Soldiers".

Sing it!

As far and wide as the eye can see

Nothing around but bog and moor

No bird song to gladden our hearts

Oak trees standing bare and stark

We are the peat bog soldiers

Moving, spade in hand, into the moor

Here on this barren heath

Is where we set up camp

Tucked away behind barbed wire

Far from any happiness

We are the peat bog soldiers

Moving, spade in hand, into the moor

When are Hartmut and Gisela leaving?

Tomorrow.

I'm going to Leipzig the day after tomorrow to visit the art school.

I might take some photos. I'm planning to stay two or three days.

Is it okay if I go alone?

Sure.

I'm not in the mood for a city anyway.

Come on...

Not now.

It's only one week, Mum. You'll like it.

- Bye. - Get home safe.

Doesn't she want to go?

Three days is the most she's been away.

And when I bring Mum back, you'll come?

I promise.

- Thanks - Bye.

Come on, I won't be gone long.

Well, what do you think? Nice, right?

- Stays green even in winter. - But no one sits outside in winter.

Marianne sent me to deliver your meat order.

He didn't make it over there and now he gets to play boss here.

He wants to tell me how to do my job?

I've been in this business 30 years!

Westerners do know a thing or two about business management.

- And about money. - Come on!

You want that criminal state back? It ruined my life.

The wife up and left. That bitch was in the Stasi too!

No way...

Maria...

Pretty doll...

Everything's still so easy for her.

She'll leave and never come back.

Maria!

What exactly does she want from that boy Johannes?

- Pull yourself together, Henner! - Yes, Sir!

Come home with me, Maria.

Do what you want with me.

You have a fever.

"Close all wounds With your cool, good hands

So that inward they bleed to death.

Sweet mother of pain - you

The darkness extinguished me in silence..."

"The darkness extinguished me in silence,

I became a dead shadow in the day.

Then I stepped from the house of joy

Outside in the night."

I have to go back to the Brendels.

Johannes gets home today.

I'm here, Maria.

You know that.

Well, well...

She's back.

Nice time at Mummy's?

Yes.

Maria!

Johannes...

You okay?

How was it? Tell me everything.

It was great, Maria!

I'm certain now.

I want to study there.

They have workshops, their own lab...

and huge studios!

The people there are different,

the whole atmosphere's different!

It's...

You feel it as soon as you walk into the school.

It's like...

a totally different world.

Anyway,

I'm definitely going to apply, and I know what with.

I'm going to take a series of photos of the village.

Of the people and their homes.

It's historical documentation,

as this world will soon be gone,

but it's also art.

They're going to take me, Maria!

Johannes... Stop, stop.

I'm on my period.

- I don't mind. - But I do.

- You never minded before. - True...

But I've got cramps.

Okay...

Is everything okay?

With us?

Just because I say "no" once?

It's happened a few times lately.

I just want to know if you're okay...

If we're okay.

Yes! Yes.

It's just...

I haven't got things all figured out like you have.

I know.

There's still time.

So, did you take any pictures of the city?

- Of course - Yeah?

These are all photos from Leipzig.

I also took some of the school.

- What? - Off to the dark room then!

- Are you sure? - Yes!

I'm in good company here.

Hey, Mum.

- Is he not coming? - He says he's not hungry.

He hasn't been himself since Frieda left.

And you?

- Was it a good trip to Leipzig? - Yes.

I've made my decision.

I want to study photography.

- An artist, huh? - Lukas, stop that now.

Time to eat.

- So I guess you'll take over the farm. - I can already drive a tractor.

- The boy's 12, Siegfried. - Precisely.

- Time he starts lending a hand. - Want some? It's good.

It's from Hartmut.

Speaking of, going "biodynamic" means replacing the stalls,

changing crop rotation and more.

I could use Henner's meadows behind the woods.

- Maybe he'll sell them. - I doubt it.

He told the innkeeper he wants to do up his farm and buy more horses.

- He'll be needing his fields. - Oh, Henner...

His best years are behind him.

He seems to be doing well these days. And he's still a handsome man.

Like him, huh?

Well, I wouldn't kick him out of bed if I didn't have you, Siggi.

I have a bone to pick with you, anyway.

Wasting our housekeeping money on this crap!

And the bathroom's full of creams, make-up and God knows what else.

Is this what I'm slaving away for? Go to Henner, for all I care.

You slave away? And I don't?

Everyone else is on holiday now that we can travel.

Greece, Spain, France...

I'm the only one stuck on the farm apologising for buying a magazine.

Customer...

Maria!

- Yes? - Come down to the shop!

Yes, erm..

I'll take a few tomatoes.

And a cucumber.

You like raspberries?

Chuck some in, then.

But you can only have them at mine.

Are you crazy?

- When can you come again? - I don't know.

I can't say I'm going to Mum's again.

What if the Brendels meet her in town and ask after me?

I don't know, Maria.

Hey...

Come anyway.

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Maria!

Happy birthday to you!

Here you go.

Thank you.

I like the look of longing.

You rarely have that expression.

I can't eat with you, I'm afraid.

- Too much work. - I know.

- Yeah? - Thanks, Mum.

New sofa?

Grandpa and I went to a furniture store. You wouldn't believe what they have!

We could move into the garden. It must be warm enough by now.

No, don't worry, Grandma. I can't stay long anyway.

Johannes wants to spend the day with me, I can't leave him waiting too long.

But you just got here.

- We never see you anymore. - I thought you'd stay a bit, too.

I'll come back another time and stay longer, I promise.

What do you have planned with Johannes?

- We haven't really decided yet. - Why didn't you bring him?

He has to work.

Siegfried is in Bavaria visiting his brother.

Really? What became of him in the end?

I can't tell you all that now. Next time, okay?

Did she read them all?

Do you fancy a trip?

Where to?

Over there...

The West.

Can you order me a white coffee?

I have to pick up some things.

I'll be quick.

- Two coffees. - Regular, white?

Cappuccino, espresso?

One white coffee and... a beer for me.

Lager, ale or wheat beer?

A small...

beer.

A small lager. Draft or bottle?

Yes.

Henner?

- For God's sake, Maria, where were you? - I'm sorry.

- I had to go to three different shops. - Come on!

- What about my coffee? - I drank it.

Henner...

No!

Hello!

Hey.

I thought you were gone for good

They wouldn't let me leave.

They see me so rarely.

Happy birthday, Maria.

Open it then.

I wanted to give them to my daughter.

But I never had one, until Johannes brought you to us.

Oh, don't...

Stop.

You know how dear you are to us.

You're part of the family now.

Shall we go out and celebrate?

Why don't we stay in?

Very sensible.

I'm going to sit in the garden.

Lukas...

What?

"Very sensible"...

I've been hard at it all day.

Come on, let's have a drink upstairs. You can tell me about your day.

Once Dad's back, I'll start taking photos of the villagers.

I want to start with Henner.

His house looks pre-war. He doesn't even have a proper bathroom!

- Henner's, huh? - I've only been there once.

It was a while ago but felt like stepping back 100 years.

The ladies don't seem to mind.

- Huh? - Well...

The other day, I saw...

Well?

What?

Let's go upstairs.

I'll be right up!

River. Ten minutes.

Henner?

We need to stop this.

Don't come over again.

What?

Why?

You're 19, Maria.

I'm 40.

What are you saying?

Don't throw this away!

Henner...

I love you.

I love you.

I want you.

It's not possible.

No!

Please...

Henner.

Leave me alone...

- Leave me alone. - Henner...

Henner!

What's wrong with her today?

It's her parents, I think.

- Why? Did something happen? - You know it all already.

Her mum's unemployed and her dad's marrying a 20-year-old.

- That's all I know, okay? - Okay.

Maria!

- See you later. - Bye.

Come on inside.

The mandarins are from Traudel.

She says they're your favourite.

They were.

When I was a child.

You still are, a little bit.

No...

I'm not.

Maria...

Maria?

Johannes is here.

Tell him I'm sleeping.

Sorry, Johannes. She's sleeping.

I can wait.

Just give her time. There's no need to worry.

Bye.

So, heartbreak?

Johannes seems to really like you.

Whatever’s happened between you two...

I'm sure you can work it out.

This isn't the end, Maria.

Life can be very painful, but it will pass.

I promise.

Oh, you're down here!

I was just coming up.

I brought chicken.

Want some?

Grab a couple of plates.

I have to tell you something.

I just had an interview in town at your old school.

The secretary left for the West...

They say I can start next week.

And...

I was thinking, well...

I could find a flat in town.

It's easy now, plenty are vacant.

And I thought maybe you could come with me?

- Move to town? - Yes, to town.

Yes...

I'll think about it.

Really?

- Hello. - Henner!

The Brendels said I should stop by and see Maria,

since I was passing.

Johannes asked if I could pick her up.

I guess he's really missing her...

I'll get my things.

Johannes was here the day before yesterday.

Well, he was worried.

And is the car still running?

Good.

Well, see you soon, Hannah.

- Bye, Mum. - Bye.

I couldn't do it.

I had to come and get you.

I almost died, Henner.

You don't die that easily.

Henner?

- It's Johannes. - Stay up here.

Sit!

Is now a good time?

I'll be quick. You don't have to do anything.

- I'll shoot the farm, then the kitchen...

Not inside.

- Oh? - Yes.

Okay...

But around the stables is okay?

- What's wrong? - He caught me on camera.

What?

- What do you mean? - He was pointing it at the window.

I think I'm in the picture.

Damn, Maria, that was stupid!

Henner!

Yes?

I'm finished!

I can't take it anymore.

I can’t keep lying to them. I want to stay here with you.

Are you sure?

Maria, don't think I don't want you.

I want you more than you know.

- But you don't know me. - No, no...

That’s not true.

Henner, I know you better than you think.

You think anyone in the village will still talk to you?

Marianne, maybe?

Have you ever been truly lonely?

Do you know how that feels?

You'll have no one. No one. Just me.

Do you love me?

Yes.

Yes, I love you.

- That doesn't mean we can live together. - Why not?

I just told you. We'll be on our own!

You'll have to work hard, you'll have no friends.

I've been alone so long, I'm set in my ways, I can't change that...

- I'm older than your mother! - I know all this!

But I'm not like the others!

You'll still leave.

You'll get sick of me and the village, you'll pack your bags and be off!

- I'm not like that... - You're 19, Maria.

- You'll change your mind many times. - No!

Do me a favour and sleep on it.

And if you want to come back, then come.

I will come.

I'll come.

I will come.

This is also me, Maria. Don't forget that.

This is also me!

Look at me.

Take a good look!

I'm staying.

I'm staying.

Maria!

Are you feeling better?

Why didn't you let me know? I would have picked you up.

Right, yes...

You've been busy.

Here.

Look.

Here's Ella with her daughter in the stables.

I love how the light falls on their faces.

I was at Henner's this morning.

Here...

The gate.

The farm from the outside.

The horses...

I like the exposure.

There's a woman at the window!

That's why I couldn't go in.

He didn't want me seeing her.

- It's the village fair in a few days. - Here come the fried potatoes.

- Thanks, Grandma! - Careful, it's hot.

- Here. No! - A little bit more...

A big portion for Maria...

Pass the gherkins, please.

- Lots, please. - Finish that first.

Thank you.

- Hey, I need to talk to you. - Okay.

- Not now, after dinner. - Sure, we'll talk later.

Remember last year's fair when Volker fell down the stairs wasted?

Do you remember when you drunkenly got up on the table,

stripped naked and started pirouetting?

- Talk about making a fool of yourself. - That was a bit longer ago.

Mum! Take a sip of your drink!

Wait! I'm developing!

- Johannes... - Maria, please.

I need a bit longer.

I can hardly remember what came next.

It was like I was seeing everything through a veil.

Isolated images.

And today...

Today, I often think of the book I was reading back then.

The Brothers Karamazov.

And the words of Alexei, the youngest of the brothers.

"Someday, we will all rise again

and be reunited and tell each other everything.

Absolutely everything."

Yes...