Original subtitles

Switzerland Canton of the Grisons, 1939

Help, Mom!

Good morning.

Show me your ID and permit.

Mirana, the man wants to see our documents.

Lubo Moser...

Are you Jenisch?

Lubo Moser... You've been called up.

Huh?

You haven't seen the signs around?

The Confederation called up all able-bodied men to defend its borders.

We're on the brink of war.

Can you read?

Yes, I went to Catholic school.

Here, read.

How many children do you have?

Three.

Grab your things and come with us to the police station.

Tomorrow you'll go to the barracks.

I can't leave them on their own!

- How'll they survive without me? - Moser...

You'll have pay, you can send it to them.

But if you continue to protest, we'll send you straight to prison.

The lad? He's not on the list?

He's my cousin and he's only 16.

He's my grandson.

He's my daughter's boy.

Get your things, let's go.

Kids!

Come in.

Private Moser! Put that away!

You're on guard!

Well, Moser...

Has the bear come by?

Did you see it?

Are you cold?

Drink, it'll warm you up.

Thank you.

Shall we go?

Can I sit?

Thank you, soldier.

Can I offer you a drink?

I've already got a beer.

Cheers.

Not a great place to be...

There's cold and nothing else.

Are you guarding the border?

Yes.

And you?

You weren't called up?

No, I have Austrian citizenship.

My father's Austrian.

I've lived in Austria since I was 10,

my mother was from St. Gallen.

And you?

I'm from here, the Grisons.

Have you got any friends here?

I need someone for a job.

I asked some farmers, but they're all too busy.

I'd pay well, very well.

But I can't find anyone.

Are you interested?

Excuse me.

Taro...

The police came with cantonal officials

and said that children are not allowed to live on the streets.

That it's the law.

They pointed a rifle at us.

They grabbed Philip and Bertha.

And they tore Peter from Mirana's arms.

She screamed and fought back,

she tried as hard as she could to stop them

and take the children back but they pushed her away...

and she slipped and fell against the cart.

The next day I went to see her in the cart,

she seemed to be sleeping

but she was dead.

Forgive me.

I wasn't able to do anything.

Bastards!

They hate us!

You know they hate us!

They took the Stoffels' children and the Husers' son,

the mobilization is just an excuse!

Where were you?

Outside of Chur.

Anton made papers for me

and you, too.

Come with us to France.

Grandpa and Grandma already left.

I have two horses for tomorrow night.

Ten-hut!

At ease!

Break ranks.

Corporal, my stomach hurts.

I need to go.

Make it quick, Moser.

Moser!

Move it!

Did you shit?

A beer.

Cheers.

Why that face?

Feeling homesick?

How much is the pay?

Have you found someone?

Me.

Taro...

You go alone for now.

But I have the horses, what will you do?

Take what you can carry and leave the cart where it is.

Come to France with me!

I will get my kids back.

So help me God.

We go our separate ways when we finish the job, we never met.

Nice car.

Is it new?

Nearly. I got it here in Switzerland.

Is it hard to drive?

No more than a horse.

Just need to know what to press.

How many gears?

Walk, trot, gallop, plus another one to go backwards.

Are we galloping now?

No, trotting, we're going uphill.

How do you know when the fuel is running out?

Enough questions or I'll get lost.

We're going over the border?

No, we're stopping before it.

Right on time.

Put them here.

Shine it here.

No, it's not the right one.

This is something extra for your wives.

I added extra money for the packs.

- Cover your tracks when you go back. - We never met.

We'll smoke a cigarette then go.

Where are you from?

Judeburg, near Vienna.

I had a store,

but I had to close because of the Nazis.

I saved what I could.

And you?

What did you do before coming here?

All kinds of things.

Whatever I find.

Are you married?

Any children?

Let's go.

Shit.

Come on.

When the legs get cold, it's worse.

I'll go ahead,

then I'll come back and take your pack, it'll be quicker.

Shit!

Hey...

What are you doing here?

You didn't go with Taro?

I need to stay here...

for a few days.

You had problems with the documents?

I'm really sorry...

about your wife.

Is that yours?

Gretel, get us something to drink.

Hungry?

Want some soup?

My wife... isn't she lovely?

He's an old friend of mine, an artist.

Go get the stable ready.

Put my photo here.

An Austrian.

That's very risky.

You haven't gone crazy and want to join the Nazis?!

Just do it.

"Distinguishing mark: Gold tooth."

Do you know where they took my kids?

I don't know.

No one does!

Maybe to the barracks

or a boarding school.

Apparently they change their names

and put them in an institution

or in foster homes.

I want to find them.

They come and get them with papers

proving they're allowed to take them away.

The kids...

- They're "Gadjis" now. - They're my kids!

For years now...

they've been taking our kids.

Like with the Grubers

and Kolleghers...

They even appealed to the authorities

but it was pointless.

They didn't get their kids back.

Did those rotten bastards eat them?!

They must've taken them somewhere.

I can't show my face in the city.

Find someone who'll talk.

His head's missing!

He's one of ours.

Moser.

There he is.

Poor guy.

Well?

Hard to tell without the head.

Next!

Come in, Corporal Mottin.

Moser was in your patrol. Did you know he was Jewish?

Jewish?

No, Lieutenant.

He was one of those who live on the road in their carts.

I didn't know gypsies were circumcised as well.

His draft examination doesn't mention it.

He should've cut his dick off as well as his head

if he killed him to pass for dead.

Maybe he found him already dead from the cold

and took his clothes so he could run away.

- May I go? - Yes.

Mirana was given a funeral worthy of a princess,

but all that I have left are tears.

I cry in pain each and every day.

I want... I want... I...

I want to stay here, we don't want to leave

like your family did.

They have siblings and cousins...

in France.

We... we're here,

our families are all here.

- Do you know where they took the kids? - No.

The Gemperlis' kids were taken one year ago

and put into a home in Chur.

They were at church.

All we know is they were still there at Christmas time.

In Italian, please.

- Are you from Val Bregaglia? - Yes.

All that's left of Lubo Moser.

I brought it myself, as I'm on leave.

May as well burn it, I doubt anyone will come looking for this junk.

Any news?

No, we even we spread the news of his death to snare some relatives,

but no one's come forward.

Is there any talk of him around the inns?

No.

All we know is his wife died when Moser was still with you.

- All right, thanks. - Thank you.

- Have a good day. - Goodbye.

They didn't tell me where they are.

They separated them.

The kids get placed in various institutions,

that's what they do.

One here, one there, far from each other

so they never cross paths.

In Zurich there's Hilfswerk für die Kinder der Landstrasse

that organizes everything with the Pro Juventute office.

The exhibition is upstairs.

And the Pro Juventute offices?

Same floor, but they're closed today.

Thank you, then I'll stop in and see the exhibit.

I'm looking for the Pro Juventute offices.

They're next door,

but they're closed today.

This is the Kuffer Gallery.

We thank you for interpreting the evocative images of our confederation,

transforming our land into poetic emotions with technical precision.

Thank you again, Elsa.

Thank you.

Your photographs convey a great sensitivity.

This is how I commemorate my husband.

Peter left us a year ago.

Unexpectedly.

I'm sorry.

But it's a lovely event, many have come to pay homage to him.

And the proceeds will provide assistance to the Marbach school.

Your husband would be proud.

It's a beautiful thing.

What did your husband do?

He was a notary but he devoted lots of his time to Pro Juventute.

He liaised between boarding schools and foster homes.

He said it was our duty

to give those poor children without parents a proper education.

We've always loved children, but sadly never had any.

Do you have children?

My work makes it difficult to maintain friendships,

even more so to create a family.

What do you do? I've never seen you in Zurich.

I'm a trader.

I travel a lot, but I'm stopping in St. Gallen for a while.

Must be difficult to travel with this climate of war surrounding us.

Do you think the Germans will invade us too?

Who can say?

I'm often here,

if you're ever back in Zurich we can have tea together.

Certainly.

Go on, say hello.

Hello, Mrs. Elsa.

- Have a seat. - Thank you.

How was the exhibition?

Great. There were lots of people, too.

I'd like you to meet Bruno Reiter, he bought a beautiful photo.

I was fond of it, but never mind!

I couldn't help myself.

It has a particular sensibility.

Here are the proceeds.

If I may, I'd like to add something.

Here... please take this.

Thank you, very kind.

I apologize again for my absence at the vernissage,

but Karin, the little girl I was telling you about,

kicked one of the teachers who had caressed her.

And when I was about to leave,

a couple of children ran away from the school.

It was a disaster.

You were very generous.

It's only right to give back to the less fortunate.

You could take care of a child.

How?

You just have to become their guardian and cover the costs.

I have two myself.

Is it possible to choose the child?

Well, I didn't choose mine,

but I think it's possible.

Do you want one with your eyes?

If he looked like me, he would feel more like my son.

It would be a great help if you did.

Otherwise they don't study and they get assigned to families who request them.

They end up in the mountains working with the animals.

Would I have to live in Zurich?

No, you don't have to take them home.

They remain in boarding school.

"Because the child comes into this world not of his own will,"

subject to uncontrollable urges,

it is necessary for his moral education to occur with effort and instruction.

The conditions for educational instruction of the young child

"are therefore rule and discipline."

- When did they come to take them? - Two months ago.

They took Hanne away

a month before she gave birth.

They put her in prison

and made her give birth there.

Her baby...

they told her he died.

But she knows it isn't true, because the nurse told her.

They took the Hoss family's children, too.

Do you know where they took them?

Who knows... They just took them.

That's it.

Save yourself and save your people.

Eighty...

brides.

You'll have children...

They are in many women.

You will devote... your life

to conquering death.

Love all the women in her...

and love her in them.

You will be able...

Pardon me.

Come in.

I'll take the opportunity to introduce my wife, Klara.

Excuse her impetuousness.

Klara, Mr. Reiter,

he's going to be in town for a while.

I wanted to show my husband...

Sorry for interrupting.

Darling, I'll see you at home.

Goodbye, Mr. Reiter.

And welcome to St. Gallen.

Okay...

Where were we?

Deposit.

Indeed...

we could open an account...

Do you like it?

How was work?

You look beautiful!

Who was that guy in your office?

He's Viennese.

And now he wants to live here?

He sells jewels, fabrics, precious things,

silk from the Orient.

His business must be good, with the amount of money he deposited.

Is he Jewish?

He wanted to convert everything to francs.

He's staying in Switzerland.

How much did he deposit?

Klara!

Come on! How much?

He can live handsomely for the rest of his days, even without working.

Before he left he said he has some very nice oriental things...

if you're interested.

For my birthday?

- How pretty! - Amazing!

My dear friends, I ask that you not take everything,

but above all...

let my little wife have first picks because today is her birthday.

A successful surprise.

Yes, very successful.

I wanted that!

Try them on.

You're a princess.

Klara, you don't want this, do you?

They look fabulous on you.

I only brought a few things.

If you don't find something to your liking, I can come back again.

Very kind of you.

Do you know any institutions that take care of children?

We donate to a few institutions,

I know some headmasters.

- Why? - I'd like to donate, too.

Fund and organize some concerts and shows for children.

- To cheer them up. - How wonderful.

I'll gladly put you in touch.

Thanks.

Thanks so much.

They take a bath every week...

These are their rooms.

In your rooms.

Go inside.

Go inside.

See...

The study room.

A notebook...

Cleanliness is very important to us.

Very good.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Good morning, Reiter.

Sorry to disturb you,

Klara wants to exchange the earrings.

I have an urgent appointment at the bank,

I must leave you two.

Please don't let her spend too much.

See you tonight, darling.

Bye.

Goodbye.

I don't have anything here,

it's all upstairs in the safe.

It's not true that I want to exchange the earrings.

I brought a ring for you to appraise.

It belonged to Karl's grandmother.

It's a bit old-fashioned.

Yes...

old-fashioned.

Healthy and lovely,

aware of their great duties and responsibilities,

they are happy children living in a time of splendor.

Heil Hitler!

Killer!

Killer!

All Jews out!

- We should go. - Yes.

Killer!

Kick that bastard out!

Killer!

I know many Jews, very good people.

I don't understand this obsession of the Nazis.

Did the movie upset you?

Are you Jewish?

Sorry, forgive my intrusiveness.

No.

This Hitler...

he'll arrive here one day, too.

Wonder what'll become of Switzerland.

He has...

an ambitious plan.

He wants... to improve the world.

In a way, we do need that.

Yes, a better mankind.

Will our democracy manage to achieve it?

I believe in the value of a good education.

Love is the best education.

You can't imagine how many children grow up with unfit parents.

Children of pederasts, gypsies,

criminals,

madmen.

As adults, they won't fit into society either.

Sometimes I think they shouldn't reproduce.

They should be...

sterilized.

Philip, is that you?

What are you looking for?

Who are you?

Go away!

Josef, come here.

Who was that woman?

I have to tell you something important.

- You're pale. - I feel a bit nauseated.

But I have good news,

we're expecting!

I waited an extra month to tell you, to be sure.

We'll organize a lunch on Sunday and tell our parents.

Why not?

You know how happy they'll be.

For now it's just between us...

the two of us.

I'll tell Gertrud to be more attentive.

- I'll have her move in here with us. - No.

She's been taking some liberties recently...

- Has she been disrespectful? - No.

She's expecting too, but her husband's gone off to the army.

I wouldn't want people to gossip,

you know how it is...

Hold on.

From Mr. Reiter...

he's moving away

and he said to send his regards.

There is something I'd like:

I'd like it to be a child from the Grisons.

My mother was from there, I'd like to do it in her memory.

Let's see if there are any in the files.

I remembered correctly.

There are some in Bevers, the Sonnenberg boarding school.

Well, Mr...

Bruno Reiter.

I need some more information, your ID, please.

Yes.

But you're Austrian!

Yes.

I'm sorry, Mr. Reiter.

You're not a citizen of the Confederation

and we can't accept foreigner benefactors for our children.

No?

What if you write that Mr. Reiter is awaiting his citizenship?

I appreciate your willingness, but it's not possible.

It would set a precedent.

I'm sorry...

I'm afraid it's not my decision,

we have to follow the rules.

You try to do something good and...

We'll try again if you apply for Swiss citizenship, I have connections.

Huh?

Citizenship.

I understand your disappointment.

Come...

Come in...

We can console each other.

I have a meeting in San Gallen

and I'm already running late.

Excuse me, I think I left my hat upstairs.

You're just in time, I was closing up.

I'll go check the windows in the meantime.

Thank you.

Thanks again.

Goodbye.

12 YEARS LATER

Good morning, sir.

Bruno Reiter, I've booked.

Good morning.

Hello, Mr. Reiter. We booked your usual room.

Perfect.

Do you have the program of shows and concerts in the city?

Of course.

- Here you go. - Thanks.

- Third floor, Mr. Reiter. - Thanks.

Thank you.

September 1951 - I've returned

One night,

I ran away from the war, in a boat

and came to Switzerland

from a town on Lake Maggiore.

I'm not a trader, I'm a gypsy.

So long as you're a good man.

Now let's play the silence game, no more talking.

And no laughing.

He's laughing too.

You must become an artist when you grow up.

Hold on.

I already have a son.

Antonio.

Good.

See?

Yes.

That's Italy, where your mother was born.

Isn't it nice?

May I?

Goodness!

I can see your future too.

You will be, my goodness... a strong, handsome man.

With lots of money and women...

Look...

- Don't you agree? - Yeah.

Try and catch me!

Margherita!

Here.

Good!

Did you pass?

I don't know, but I hope so.

And now?

I'll keep going to school, I want to learn.

Would you like to play an instrument?

The accordion?

I learned from my father when I was about your age.

I don't know. I listen to songs on the radio.

I'll lend you mine, it's not difficult.

Like this.

Do, re, mi, fa, sol...

Sol, fa, mi, re, do... That's all.

- Excuse me? - Yes?

- Orange juice. - Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Remember me?

We met some time ago.

- Yes, certainly, in a hotel. - Yes.

I later learned that you're Austrian like me.

No, my father was Austrian.

But I've always lived in Switzerland.

Join me.

I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself, my name's Moster.

Reiter, Bruno Reiter.

Are you here in Bellinzona for work? What do you do?

Business, nothing in particular.

I was a trader...

fabrics, jewels, and I still have a few customers.

Years ago in Austria, my sister knew a fabric salesman.

She was called Rose Marie. Does it ring a bell?

No, I don't think so.

I travel and meet lots of people,

but I really don't remember a Rose Marie.

Excuse me, but I'm meeting someone... the concert's starting.

Isaac Zukker was his name, this trader...

- Have you ever heard of him? - No.

Just one more minute of your time.

It's a bit of a sad story, Mr. Reiter,

but it's important to me.

My sister Rose Marie, during the war,

entrusted money and jewels to this man, as did other Jewish families,

to be brought to safety in Switzerland.

The Linders, the Zweigs, Wachter the dentist...

The Dreyfusses, the Weinsteins...

Jews from Judenburg, like us.

The Nazis then sent them to the concentration camps.

Only three of them survived.

I was lucky,

I was in England at the time.

I'm sorry,

what a terrible story.

And we never heard anything more about this Zukker.

He was supposed to cross the border with false papers we procured for him.

Maybe he never arrived in Switzerland.

So you remember something about a Zukker?

I might have heard that name before.

But like I said, I meet lots of people.

I don't know.

Now you'll have to excuse me...

If you remember something else,

you can leave a note for me at reception.

- Of course. - Thank you.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye, Mr. Reiter.

Yes?

Hello.

Hello.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Did Antonio misbehave?

Don't worry, it's nothing.

Don't worry.

I'm so stupid.

A maid who irons, makes the beds... An Italian...

Don't worry.

I just have something unexpected to take care of.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Anything to declare? - Nothing in particular.

Hello.

Hello. I'd like a room, please.

Certainly.

I'll give you room number three, it's the nicest.

- My luggage? - I'll give you a hand.

- It's quite heavy. - I'll ask Gigi from the bar.

Come with me.

"Dear Margherita,"

I cannot explain my sudden departure right now.

I still have many important things to do, to sort out for my work,

"but don't worry, you'll see me again soon."

Everything okay?

I'll clean in here if you want.

No.

- Sure? - Yes.

"I've left money for you in the envelope,"

you can already get something for the baby if you want.

It'll be enough for you for now, then I'll be back.

"I'll take care of you and Antonio."

Here's your red.

Sir...

Do you know any real estate brokers?

Moretti, my brother-in-law's brother.

He's right next to the Credito Italiano bank.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Did you finish?

I'll do three more pages.

Then can I play?

Study hard so one day we can get out of here.

And go where?

Where would you like to go?

I don't know where I'd like to go.

Finish your homework later, let's play cards.

Let me just tie this thread.

Where has Bruno gone?

He said he'd take me to see a Totò movie.

The we'll go when he gets back.

Hello, is this Hotel Castello?

I wanted to know if Mr. Moster is still in the hotel.

Perhaps he has already left...

What a pity!

Thank you. Goodbye.

- Morning. - Morning.

"Corriere della Sera"...

- Yes. - And "Corriere del Ticino".

This too.

That'll be 120 liras.

- Keep the change. - Thanks.

- Bye. - Bye.

You're good. May I?

- You know how? - I do.

- Yes. - Yes?

Thank you.

- Can I make a call? - Of course, I'll connect you.

Margherita, there's a call for you.

- For me? - Middle booth.

Hello?

Hi.

How's everything?

How are you?

We're all right.

I'm glad you called.

How are you?

Fine. I'm in Verbania.

Come visit me on Sunday?

Hello!

Hi.

This is where I'm staying.

It's cozy.

- As cozy as a home. - Very nice.

Here's the number if you want to call me.

Thanks.

How's business?

Very good.

Do you like these houses?

What kind of houses do you like?

Normal ones, I guess.

Big ones...

with lots of light.

- A terrace. - Yes.

Maybe even a lake view.

A garden.

Yes.

And you?

I bought a house.

It needs some work, I'll buy new furniture.

When it's ready

we can all live there together.

I'm going for a walk.

Antonio, come.

Sit down.

This is for you.

It's gold, an antique.

It's from Persia.

Take it.

Where is Persia?

In the Orient.

Where India is?

Closer. I got it from a Bedouin

I saved from a sandstorm in the desert.

Really?

Wind it every three days, or it'll stop.

Are the hands gold, too?

Everything's gold.

Thanks!

We'll be late, the bus is leaving.

Hello.

Hello.

- Do you have any Italian products? - No.

Can you pull over?

The trunk.

Documents.

Come inside with me, they can wait in the car.

Where's Bruno going?

Hello.

Do you need our documents?

Don't worry, it'll only be a minute.

Mr. Reiter, a charge has been made against you.

What do you mean? What for?

Sorry, but we have to detain you.

Tomorrow we'll take you to Bellinzona for the notification procedures.

Then you can go back home. That's all we know.

Is the lady your wife?

No, she's a friend.

But I was taking her to Bellinzona,

she has to work tomorrow.

We'll see what we can do.

Let's go.

Sign here.

This is the notification.

Call Ramelli, please.

Reiter,

Zukker...

Lubo... What should I call you?

"Misappropriation, falsification of documents, identity theft."

The plaintiff claims that during the war

you were given custody of assets belonging to Jewish families.

Must've been the headless man we found.

There's a copy of a document with the list of the goods

and the families' signatures.

I don't know what you're talking about.

What were you doing at the Gafier Joch pass at night?

I was running away.

While walking in the snow, you came across Zukker, Reiter,

you killed him, robbed him,

and stole his identity.

I didn't kill anyone,

he was already dead.

I was running away.

I don't know what he was doing there or why he was dead.

Mom?

Hello, Mrs. Bertallo. My name is Motti.

I'm with the police, I need to talk to you.

Go to your room while I talk to this man.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

You see, ma'am...

I need to ask what your relationship with Bruno Reiter is.

We're friends.

Well, more.

You're expecting?

You met here in Bellinzona?

Given your situation, what I'm about to say won't be easy.

But it's for your good and your children's.

Bruno Reiter is not the gentleman he may appear.

He's been accused of stealing the fortunes he has

and he might've killed a man.

It's best you not have anything to do with this man.

When can he return?

Who knows.

"Dear Margherita, I'm sorry for what has happened,"

but you mustn't worry.

Everything will get cleared up and I'll return soon.

I love you even more than before.

Give Antonio a hug, and don't do anything to tire yourself.

"Bruno."

I didn't even know he had all that...

I discovered it afterwards.

I took his clothes

and what he had on him and...

I fled.

Back then, a young man came to the inn to see you.

Who was he? What did he want?

My cousin. He came to talk to me.

- Did he organize it all? - No.

- Did he kill the Jew? - No.

He came to tell me the gendarmes had killed my wife

and taken my children.

You know, don't you?

They steal children from the Jenisch.

The child's name?

Hugo with an H.

And the father?

He's working, he couldn't come.

- Is he feeding? - Yes, thankfully.

Careful.

Go get it.

Hello.

I'm Giorgio Bloch

from the sports association.

The priest asked me to come by. Is your mother here?

Come in.

May I?

Hello, I'm Giorgio Bloch from the sports association.

Hello.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

Can I offer you some cordial?

Yes, thanks.

Sorry.

We are supported by Pro Juventute,

the Confederation foundation for needy children.

So we can help out with biscuits, food,

the pediatrist, even clothing.

With all expenses.

Thanks.

But good times and bad times don't last forever.

Do you like sports?

Let's see what I have here.

A lovely ball just for you.

Hold on.

Let's see...

if you run faster with these.

What else have I got? Our team jersey.

Go try it on.

- Thank you. - No problem.

- Handsome lad. - Yes.

And we do it through sports.

Because sports help children with integration.

The accused, Lubo Moser, is sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment

for desertion, theft, false identity,

falsification of documents,

neglect of civic obligations

including pension payments and military service tax.

He is found not guilty of murder due to lack of evidence.

Okay...

He's wet.

Do you have his bag?

Good. Let's go change him.

I'll put the wet things in a bag for your mother.

Could I talk with the prisoner Bruno Reiter?

Do you have an appointment?

No, I didn't know I needed one.

Visitor for Bruno Reiter.

Are you his wife?

It's our son.

If you're not his wife, you can't.

Ah, Lubo Moser.

All right, I see.

They said he's been transferred.

Where?

I don't know.

Send a request to the office,

but if you're not family...

Can I write to him?

Of course.

And can he write back?

Certainly, ma'am.

10 YEARS LATER

Good evening, you can't come in, we don't need any music.

Good evening, I wanted to say hello to Margherita Bertallo.

Margherita?

Ah...

You don't know?

She took ill and died a few months ago, unfortunately.

I'm sorry.

You can speak to her son if you want.

He works downtown in the sporting goods store.

Sorry, I have to go back to work now.

Can you fix it?

I can't now, sorry. But I can give you another one.

- Here. - Thanks.

What do you want?

I heard about your mother.

She died, yes.

You can go now, there's nothing else to say.

- When... - Will you leave, please?

When did she get ill?

Leave, please?

Do you need anything?

No.

The last room on the top floor.

Hello.

The Bertallos don't live here?

They do.

Hugo's at a meeting,

Antonio's at the store.

I'm Hugo's father.

I heard you stopped by the store.

I'm Marta, Antonio's fiancée.

Want to come in?

- Yes. - Come in.

Their mother, Margherita, I loved her.

We loved each other, even Antonio and Hugo.

I'd like to explain.

I wrote to them at first but...

they never replied.

Antonio suffered a lot.

I came to talk to him,

to explain.

I'm not sure...

I understand.

Hold on.

This is for you.

Want some coffee?

Yes.

FOR HUGO'S FATHER

"January 12, 1952."

Hugo is born.

Weight: 4.07 kg.

Length: 51 cm.

Hugo will not suckle and cries desperately.

Baptism...

You're not here and I feel alone,

but we're thinking of you

and hope you'll be back soon.

I pump my milk and put it in a baby bottle, he likes that.

Antonio is helping me, he's a good boy.

February 28, 1952.

Mr. Bloch from the sports association came to visit.

He promised to help us.

Yesterday he said 'mama' for the first time.

September 10, 1958.

First day of school.

Life goes on, like a flower.

I have no news of you,

but I'm still thinking about you

"and taking care of our son."

REPORT CARD

Hi, Hugo.

You don't know me but I wanted to see you

and say hello.

Want to try?

It's not hard.

Hugo, get inside.

Stop coming here.

Don't go near him or talk to him or I'll tell the gendarmes.

What are you saying? I'm his father.

Hear me?

Don't come anywhere near, now leave!

Go away, leave!

Hold still.

I think Lubo really did love you.

I don't want to talk about it.

I could see it in his eyes.

You know, perhaps his silence all those years was due to shame.

Then he should keep being ashamed.

I understand you're angry...

but what's the point?

Finished your sentence?

I'm on furlough.

Well?

I need your help.

There was a woman I loved here in Bellinzona.

I planned to have a family with her,

but then I went to jail...

And now I found out...

she died.

I met her.

So you know she had a son with me.

A little boy I didn't see grow up,

for whom I didn't exist.

His older brother who loved me now hates me.

Do you have kids?

They're in Italy with their mother.

I want to do something for my kids.

But I can't do it from here, and I can't go abroad.

I don't want them to know.

I need you to go to Italy, to Verbania.

Why should I?

I don't know why.

I'll confess to the murder.

I killed that Jewish man when we were at the border.

Is that enough?

Here.

Goodbye.

Who's my father?

He died when you were young.

Now I'm your father.

Yesterday I heard a man tell Antonio that he's my father.

Who?

What man?

Morning, commissioner.

If you're here to check the paperwork for the guns, it's all set.

Your colleague came by.

No, it's about something else.

Your shop boy is Antonio Bertallo?

Yes.

This is for him.

Shall I call him?

No need, just give it to him.

Thanks.

Hi, Hugo.

Hello.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

What's in the envelope?

Money.

I don't want it, give it to Pro Juventute.

You have permission, but only play during yard time.

Did you go to the store?

Yes.

- You gave him the envelope? - I did as you asked.

Good.

Have you read them?

Here.

- What for? - Do your job, read it.

You need to do something for my other kids.

When I was a soldier...

with you...

the gendarmes took my children away.

And gave them to the Kinder der Landstrasse.

The Kinder, on behalf of Pro Juventute, sees to the good of our children.

Jenisch children. Remember?

If they took your children, there must've been a reason.

Did they go to school?

They were still small.

But they knew how to do things your kids don't at that age.

Maybe they'd been stealing. Lots of your people steal.

They didn't steal anything.

If my people do steal, you're right to lock them up.

Even men who make mistakes should go to jail.

Like me, see?

And if countries make idiotic laws, what do you do?

Put them in jail?

Even that Jew was running away from his home

because of a law,

a country run by a madman,

decided he could no longer live like other people.

And you killed him?

He's a victim of the war.

One of the many idiotic wars that steal lives.

Waged by leaders.

Fuck you all.

You forgot the bag.

My wife's name was Mirana.

My children: Bertha, Philip, and Peter, the youngest.

I searched for them for years, but no luck.

Where are they?

"Alfred Siegfried, director and founder of the Kinder der Landstrasse charity.

Tutor of 300 children, mainly children of gypsies.

The big boss wrote:

'Anyone who wants to effectively combat nomadism

must aim to overturn the nomadic community

and put an end, as harsh as it might seem,

to the family community.

There are no other solutions.

"Previously condemned for pedophilia...'"

"Mara Casali, her 3-year-old son was given to farmers."

He sleeps in a stable full of mice

tied to farm machinery.

He vanished after three years.

"Perhaps he ran away or died."

"Graziella Nissbauner."

Taken as a child and put in a mental hospital.

She's told it's to protect her from her violent parents.

She often attempts to flee.

She's sent to Hindelbank women's prison

where authorities say she is safer.

"Sterilized during her detention."

Half a franc.

- Keep the change. - Thanks.

We've been friends for years and I've never tried to influence you.

But this is a special situation.

Let's go talk inside.

Do you remember condemning Lubo Moser, the gypsy, years ago?

Of course.

And we didn't have evidence to find him guilty of murder.

What has he done?

I met him recently.

Remember he said

the gendarmes took his children?

He searched for them for years.

And he gathered statements about other children take from families.

Look...

Here's some of the material he gathered.

You should read it.

I will.

What are these?!

- They don't concern you. - This is my brother!

We take photos of children to check for physical deformities.

But Hugo's naked!

Antonio...

Think about all I've done for you all over the years.

I saved kids like your brother.

We help them grow up, become men!

- What are you saying? - He's a white gypsy!

Where do you think Marta comes from?

- What are you saying? - No, wait...

Antonio, let go!

My jacket, the pills...

My jacket...

Give me it.

Yes, I looked at the notebooks.

Motti, we need to verify if all those things are true.

Maybe the gypsy made it all up.

Two truths and two justices cannot exist, Giacomo.

Justice can't exist if laws that are meant to protect sow the seeds of violence.

Motti, mistakes can happen.

"Bertha Moser, taken at the age of 5."

Sent to Brig boarding school, Canton of Vallese,

for three years then sent to Lucerne.

Adopted as a teenager, she now lives in the United States.

Peter Moser, age two,

adopted by elderly farmers from Lengnau, Canton of Bern,

now deceased.

No trace of him.

Philip Moser, age 4,

sent to the nun-run institution of Thun.

A very conflicted, agitated boy who ran away many times.

"In March of 1954 he was found hanged in the bathroom."

I've always liked screaming.

It releases pain.

Updates on my children?

You'll have another child.

Only in 1972,

thanks to the statements

published in Der schweizerische Beobachter from many mothers,

did Switzerland learn about the Kinder der Landstrasse victims.

In 1987, the Swiss Confederation

acknowledged its moral, political, and financial responsibility

and offered compensation to the victims.