Original subtitles

300 MILES TO HEAVEN

Starring

Screenplay

Music

Editing

Sound

Production management

Director of Photography

Directed by

Jedrek?

Come up here...

Come.

Closer.

Come.

Beat it kid!

You won't live to see tomorrow, kid.

- Don't talk to me... - Time?

07:32 a.m.

- Where is it flying to? - North...

How does it know where it is?

It has a good nose.

A fat lot of good it will get you.

Run home.

- Father needs help. - Yes, kid.

One day this harmonium will fall on your head.

It's an accordion.

Where's your father?

Over there.

So here's the firm...

What's it all about?

About bricks and concrete.

Clever, clever. It doesn't look much, and yet...

I'll go straight to the point. It's a long way out.

- Well, yes... - Mind if I sit down?

Look here Mr. Kwiatkowski...

But what exactly brings you here?

I have a reason to believe that this is an illegal business.

It could be proved or disproved.

You know... We'll have to wait and see. Do you understand?

Things can be made easier nowadays if there is the will...

You got it wrong. There's no business here.

Sir, I have strong evidence.

It's only for our own use.

...and for the neighbours... I know.

We can put it one way or another. Denunciation, evidence...

Still, you haven't paid the tax.

You have no license, and the work safety is not secured.

Is it money you want?

Come on... Why all this gathering?

Let's talk in private...

Dad! It's not fair! It's for an outhouse.

- Tell him we're stuck for space. - Tell him we have no money for bricks.

- Tell him you've been sacked from school. - Jedrek, keep out of this!

Let him go to those who have money for bribes.

Barbara, stop it!

In that case...

We shall impound the company.

The Stalinist trend...

may have had...

tragic consequences.

Our present policy is the guarantee...

of security and peace.

As opposed to the past...

- Excuse me. - What is it?

Something's not right.

In the past epochs you said that they were the guarantee

of disarmament and peace.

You didn't pay attention...

Yes, I did. Very much...

Watch it, or you'll get out.

Fine, but I'll bring my father.

He'll gladly remind you your love for Stalin.

Get out!

And you'll take back all the lies you told about him behind his back.

Your father...

Never danced to anyone's tune.

Falkowska...

And he always said who played out of tune!

Out!

It's all falling out!

Elka, stop!

Leave me alone.

Tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the station.

We're taking off.

Where to?

To the West...

You'll never make it!

Train to Kudowa at 10:02 a.m.

Thank you.

What are you looking at?

Won't you say hello to your papa?

Wait...

- Wait! - I'm fed up with all this waiting!

Sit down.

Are you back for long?

Will the next stop be the paragraphs 205, 214?

Which one haven't you done yet?

Shut up.

Don't tell me you're unhappy! Or I'll die laughing.

You'd better get back there quickly, or you'll waste away from longing.

Sit down.

Shut up and listen to me carefully.

Zdzisiu, school comes before pleasure. Bye!

Zdzisiu?!

Shouldn't you call me dad?

When I get the chance...

Now you can wave at it.

I couldn't. Let's try tomorrow!

Or the next year...

You wanted to run away just like that?

You're out.

Bastard, you don't trust me!

No, I don't...

Then why didn't you leave?

Do you ever think at all?

Do you want Grzes to be minced by the machine?

Dad! We were making bricks.

Keep your nose out of my business.

Just look at it, your business.

Don't be cheeky, Jedrek!

Someone has to, in a family.

Dad...

Dad! We have removed the seals...

Dad, explain this to me -

you've been toiling night and day and still we have nothing.

- Things aren't as simple as you think. - Then straighten them out.

You used to say so yourself.

Good morning.

Hop on!

What? I didn't have the license?

And who had the best flying record in orientation flight back in 1967?

My diploma!

It's here, in the drawer.

Go ahead, look for it.

Still you won't find it.

Damn it. I remember it was here.

My diploma...

Why don't you tell us how you landed in a greenhouse?

It wasn't my fault. The controls jammed.

The diploma was here...

Just wait a sec...

It's in the old dresser.

In the cellar.

Don't go anywhere! Or you'll be gone for months again!

Zdzisiu, memory fails you.

They took your license away seven years ago.

There's no room for fools up there.

Come on.

Jedrek, it's not true.

You're a nobody!

You're not even good at doing time.

I'll tell you why you're getting locked up.

For you going there is like coming home.

And do you know why?

Cause they even do your thinking for you there.

When you don't know how... By law.

Zdzisiu, you keep running away from here.

You want 3 months, you steal a pair of shoes.

You want 6 months, you punch someone's face.

You're afraid of living here. Yes, Zdzisiu.

You're nobody.

That's not true.

Oh yes it is. You smoke too much.

I'm not like that...

And would you jack a plane?

I would.

We're flying?

Austria.

Austria.

Zdzisiu!

Come back... Do you hear me?

Come back!

Australia...

Zdzisiu! What are you up to again?

- Your old man is off his rocker. - It's all right.

Stop!

Zdzisiu!

Austria.

Australia!

Zdzisiu!

Austria!

Dad...

What is this?

An application.

Application?

- Passport application. - Oh... And where do you want to go?

It's stated there.

And what do you want to do in the West?

It's my business.

You think that you can just scribble few words on a piece of paper

and then go abroad and live as you please?

- And it's all your private business? - I think so.

I'm not a criminal and... and I don't owe anything to anyone.

So I can move freely as I please. Can't I?

Don't get angry. It was a private business.

- Good bye. - Good bye.

Two million of back tax.

And why not five?

I'll take a factory job and earn the money.

And I'll make clothes...

I'll help you.

I will.

Go.

What are you doing here?

4 hours 17 minutes and 49 seconds. Not bad.

There is a mouse. And a trap in there.

The trap has a wire which falls and holds down the mouse. Like out there.

Why to America?

Why? To Louisiana...

If you don't want to you can stay in New York.

We'll split, so be it.

Hold it... Why Louisiana?

One can play the blues on the accordion there.

Crap!

You know what money one makes this way?

You want to leave Poland to be black in America?

- And why not? - Be quiet.

Jedrus... let's do it.

Don't you want to help father?

Moron!

Look here.

Look!

We'll escape in a truck.

Let me see.

Have a look...

Ferry.

I know where the trucks stop on their way to Swinoujscie.

- We'll get in there. - Why not in the harbour?

To avoid being caught by customs officers.

Take mine. They're dry.

- We'll take Elka with us. - What for?

Because... it's her.

What about this one?

Yeah...

Right.

Maybe that one?

It's turning...

Model F12... Three axles type. Behind the second wheel-set there is a kind of shelf.

We'll reach the coast in three hours.

Damn... How do we squeeze in there?

- You had it all figured out, didn't you? - But for two.

Leave your harmonium.

Shit, no.

Get in there, it was your idea.

Leave the box! And you get in.

Fuck off, you monster!

Wait...

- I'm not going without you. - Fuck off.

Grzesiek!

Jedrek! It's wonderful here!

Sorensen.

I've stolen a motor bike.

- Names, yours and the other one's. - After surgery.

- How did you steal the bike? - I told you, after the surgery.

I've told you already! After the surgery!

What are you waiting for? Let's run.

Check that ward please!

- Where did they go? - Who?

The girl and this...

That way.

It's no use...

Let's go back.

Take this.

Quiet.

I'll come back for you one day.

Dear Parents, we are sorry...

We left not because we were unhappy at home.

But for other important reason. For 2 days...

Do not call the militia or we might be in danger.

We'll be back next week.

Mom, take care of yourself. Jedrek.

Mom, it's not Jedrek's fault.

We've made the decision together.

Grzesiek.

Stop looking out the window, Barbara.

- I'm going to the militia. - Wait, they will be back.

Please, don't go.

It's the first time they've disappeared.

- You defend them? - I believe them.

Take the unidentified boy to the children's shelter

in Swinoujscie or Nowogard.

I have a report here.

Check the truck at 40th km stone.

It's been parked in the forest for several hours.

- Over... - OK, over and out.

Good evening, Militia.

Your passport, please.

Yours too, Miss.

Passport, driving license, vehicle card, insurance.

What are you doing here in the forest?

Could you translate, Miss?

Get off the truck, please.

Lady, I said leave the truck!

Get in.

I repeat, the boys have never run away.

Did your son ever tell you he wanted to go West?

Where? West? Never.

- Were your sons frustrated in any way? - Look for them, I beg you.

First of all, we can look for them after one month. Regulations.

And by then the boys will be surely back.

And second of all, they left a letter.

So it's not a "missing person" case!

Sir, they left the letter but they also left the money!

It contradicts the content of the letter.

Quite a lot is unclear here, Mr. Kwiatkowski.

Start searching for them!

- I've received your report, thank you. - Thank you.

Did you know... It doesn't snow in Louisiana.

Bullshit.

I left her behind!

Next month there is a blues challenge over there.

- Jedrek! - Shut your face!

What are you doing?

I can't take it any more.

My accordion...

Does it hurt?

It's against dogs.

How do you know we're going West?

It might be going to the GDR?

Dogs don't like this.

Tadeusz Kwiatkowski - History teacher dismissed in 1982.

Dismissed again in 1983. Seasonal worker...

Current mental condition - Depression.

Barbara Kwiatkowska - unemployed.

1974 - discontinued higher education - sociology. No criminal record.

Medical history: measles, scarlet fever, pneumonia...

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY ABROAD

Attention: Alert to all border check points!

I repeat - to all border check points!

Possibility of an illegal crossing.

Kwiatkowski Andrzej, born on Aug 30th, 1974

and Kwiatkowski Grzegorz, born on Nov 20th, 1977.

Sons of Tadeusz and Barbara, maiden name Nowak.

Kwiatkowski Andrzej - 1st grader

at Secondary Technical School at Chustki near Kielce

Corresponds with the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, on bird watching.

Kwiatkowski Grzegorz - 6th grade student,

attends primary school at Chustki.

No other data.

- I think we've crossed the frontier. - Don't!

We've made it! I'll play in Louisiana.

You've miscalculated.

Why did you throw away my accordion?

I don't even know if they caught her...

Jedrek! Where do you think we'll end up?

I'm thirsty...

Take this...

I'm sick...

Get me something to drink!

I want to my mama...

It was your idea!

And you would've squeezed in here with your harmonium...

Accordion...

Give me something to drink!

Don't you want to play in Louisiana anymore?

Water...

I'm thirsty!

/praying/...our daily bread...

...And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us...

Jedrek...

/continues praying/

- Jedrek... - What?

Stroke my head.

I'm sick...

I think we'll have to get out.

I'm counting to 10 and then we get out.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Count slower, please...

- 6, 7... - Slower...

8, 9, 10...

Damn it! I've got to pee.

- I can't hold it anymore! - Shut up.

- You want me to pee here? - Do it.

Or maybe not!

Wait, quiet...

If not here, then where? I'll pee in my pants.

I'm getting out.

Wait! I will.

We've made it!

Sir... What country are we in?

Here, eat.

We have to go to the police.

Eat first.

I didn't flee Poland to eat cookies.

That's your business. Don't eat if you don't want to!

You'll get weak... Faint

get fever, contract lovely pneumonia...

And who will help father to earn money?

You got well quickly.

Louisiana!

Is this capitalism? For sure?

He is Jedrek. I'm Grzes.

What does he want from you? No! I mean, from me.

What is he saying?

Be quiet. Everything's all right.

Listen, did he say anything about money?

He did...

- Then ask him how much. - Shut up.

This is serious!

Grzesiek, I don't understand but I think he says

they'll send us back to Poland.

Bullshit.

In those boots?

Sir, tell him where one can buy an accordion here?

Did you believe we'd make it?

We have to write an application for asylum.

- And you? - I don't like posing for pictures.

So why did you do it?

To help father.

Such risk for money? That's not much...

I honestly didn't think I had a chance there.

And you?

Because I wanted to...

Listen, if you're a hero, you've got to go the whole way, all right?

Why did you hightail it out of there?

- You are Polish? - What?

What will you do if you don't get the asylum?

We will appeal to the UN.

We will get it.

We did no harm to anyone.

When did you leave Poland?

What does it mean to do harm?

- Well... When you take away someone's... - Freedom, right?

Why did you leave Poland?

What's the most important thing for you now?

- Asylum. - I'm not asking you.

I think you have a big chance to get it.

You are great kids...

Here's an advance.

I'll send the rest by mail, OK?

Better send it to our father.

So why did you get out of Poland?

Bye.

ESCAPE FROM POLAND

Tadeusz, let's agree now that we won't sign anything.

Where is the room 101...

Do you really want them to be deported?

What if the boys are right?

They are my children and our place is here!

- They are our children! - Stop it!

We'll lose them for real if they come back!

You want them to send you parcels, don't you?

Where is that damn 101...

I've had enough.

You will never be able to say "no", will you?

I found it... 101.

We're looking for a job.

Ring.

Wait for me here for a moment...

Would you like to buy a watch?

A watch.

Please, buy it.

Will you buy a watch?

100!

Don't!

Give it back!

Give it back!!

You bastard!

It's all we have left of our grandpa and you wanted to sell it.

He offered me 100 kroner! I could have bought an accordion.

- Idiot. - Give it back to me.

Get lost.

Get lost.

Mom!

Mama!

Open, please.

I said open the door!

I said we wouldn't sign anything!

We'd just like to talk to you, Miss.

And where are you off to?

The West, mom.

Can the witness tell us what impact Tadeusz Kwiatkowski had on his son?

Do you know Mr. Tadeusz Kwiatkowski?

I know him personally.

He's hot tempered.

That's why he was dismissed from school.

It's a lie.

They sacked him because he wanted to teach the truth.

Quiet, please.

Kwiatkowski Tadeusz made his way into a blind alley.

I was worried about Jedrek for a long time.

He's arrogant.

He's friends with the ex-convict's daughter.

- Keep to the subject, please. - I'm sorry.

Kwiatkowski owns a brickyard.

Your Honour! I think it's irrelevant to the case.

Witness is free.

Your Honour!

I move for deprivation of...

for suspension of Tadeusz and Barbara Kwiatkowski's parental rights...

Your Honour! All that was said here were merely insinuations.

You have not been allowed to speak.

Tadeusz and Barbara Kwiatkowski are incapable of taking care of their children.

The children are in danger,

due to the culpable errors in their upbringing.

The parents did not ask for help in order to get their sons back...

It is our duty then, to pass the custody of the abandoned children over...

To whom?

Please be quiet or I shall have you removed from the court.

- You won't take the children from us! - Seat down please.

Go ahead, try us all, but without us!

Good morning boys...

This gentleman is the Consul.

Good morning.

First of all, do you need anything?

- Nothing. - How do you feel in Denmark?

Wonderful.

- When do you want to go back to Poland? - We don't.

I'd like to have a private conversation with the boys.

- Could you leave, please? - I can't. I'm here privately.

You must be aware of your situation?

Your application for asylum... will be denied.

It's in your best interest to go back as soon as possible.

- I'll help you with that. - We will get asylum.

Yes! There is already too much hype about it.

The hype will die down.

And the law is the law.

If you agree to leave you won't be deported.

Why are you doing this?

- I'm wondering why you are here. - And what's your conclusion?

Anyway, I won't leave.

Bravo! You've got a Danish passport and a child back in Poland.

Do you have to talk about it now?

Here you play a protector and you left your son back there?

- Then let him go. - We?

We don't have the right to interfere with your ex-husband's decisions.

The parental rights of your parents have been suspended.

Does it mean we have no parents?

Not for the time being.

How come?

I replace them now.

Unless your parents will ask to get you back.

Jedrek, what does it mean: "to suspend parental rights"?

I don't know.

What if they send us back?

Go to sleep now.

You've got more!

Give it to me.

The box!

Get the form...

Merry Christmas.

What's wrong? Why so gloomy?

You can't go on being torn between two countries or you'll go crazy!

You didn't think about it when you got into that truck, do you?

The whole thing was my idea.

You keep quiet.

- How did you escape from Poland? - I got married.

Marry for love?

- Do you miss Poland? - And what are you trying to say?

Look, I work, get it? I get into my car and go places.

Who are those people?

They are just like you two.

Why do you help us?

What do you mean "why"?

Because you are wonderful!

You've shown that there are no frontiers.

And you don't have to kiss anybody's ass.

Mrs. Kwiatkowska? One moment, please.

Speak.

Mom.

Jedrek.

How are you two?

Merry Christmas, boys.

Mom...

Mom, we'll manage.

Aren't you cold out there?

Take care of yourself.

Kisses for twins. How's dad?

What about Grzes?

He's here. Everything's fine.

Let me talk to Dad.

He doesn't want to talk?

What's wrong, mom?

Nothing... just keep talking dear...

Tell him that I love him.

Very much.

Tell him not to worry about bricks.

And we've sent you the money.

Mom? What's wrong?

What's wrong, mom?

Mom?

Grzesiek?

Mommy...

What about Elka?

In a reformatory.

A reformatory?

Mom, we'll get asylum soon.

Mom, do you and Dad want us to stay here?

No. I don't know... Yes... yes!

Jedrek?

Jedrek! Don't ever come back!

Do you hear me? Hello! Hello!

I'm glad we have each other.

Based on a true story.