Daimler-Benz Limousine (1982) - full transcript

TOR FILM STUDIO

PRESENTS

DAIMLER-BENZ LIMOUSINE

STARRING

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF

AND A GUEST APPEARANCE BY

MUSIC

EDITING

PRODUCTION MANAGER

CINEMATOGRAPHY

WRITTEN AND

DIRECTED BY

POZNAŃ, MAY 5, 1939

You’re out of shape.

You must exercise more.

Daimler-Benz.

Kaiser Wilhelm.

Adolf Hitler.

Now? Now!

-Just a sec.

-We’ll be late.

- We’ll make it?

- We will.

Why not a bridge

or a tunnel?

As minister Ciano said

to ambassador Wieniawa.

Professor, he’s bleeding.

Take him out.

A tunnel? Yes, a tunnel!

- yelled Ciano.

Sir, you’ve just uttered

an ingenious idea, mon cher.

Gentlemen?

Always together, huh?

- You’re in shape?

- Of course.

I’m counting on you.

Not so good.

You need to work.

When I was eighteen,

I was nothing but

skin and bones but now…

Chest of iron!

Let’s go, gents!

- You got something funny?

- Wanna hear it?

I can’t laugh twice.

Your uncle is upstairs in his

suite, gentlemen.

Engineer, meet my nephews.

Professor Hahn’s boys.

Nice to meet you.

Bohdański.

- Your mother...

- Gentlemen...

allow me to leave you

to finish my toilette.

You got something for me?

- I do, uncle.

- Talk.

Murder trial.

The judge asks a witness:

How was your first marriage

terminated?

By death, your honor.

-By whose death?

-Guess.

How much do you pay,

chairman?

I pay the most for those that are

anti National Democracy,

and the least

for antisemitic ones.

Chairman, I wanted

to thank you

for everything

you’ve done for me.

Oh, well…

You’ve been chosen

by the gods.

Act accordingly.

Adieu.

Oh, well. Life.

This cynical hunter

kills his victim at

the door

of great fame.

Bogdański?

He borrowed bills of exchange

from prince Hohenloh’s safe

and he doesn’t have them.

But Bogdański is

a man of honor and he’ll

have to shoot himself.

I told him

take your time,

there’s no hurry,

wait, there will be a war.

I can feel it in my bones.

Other things

will be important.

Other things.

Good morning, king-ding.

Good morning, scallywags.

Say good morning.

Good morning.

Scallywags. Where were you?

What did you do?

We were...

They were at the ZOO.

They were to see my brother,

Leon, to tell him jokes.

How much did he pay you?

I’m sorry.

I forgot it’s a secret.

The knowledge of life

which brings happiness

to the unprepared,

and us, the prepared

wise men,

sends to depths

of despair and doubt.

Your brother’s an idiot.

He thinks history can be

closed in a single gesture.

How about in

such a gesture?

We kindly ask

for dollars.

We kindly do.

I’m only doing this for you.

Jesus Christ,

Michał.

What happened?

Were you bleeding?

No, mother,

I got dirty eating cherries.

When the war starts,

I’ll join the Lancers.

So will I. Look!

- Look how gorgeous she is!

- Where?

Come.

I’ll put my head

between those tits.

What is it really about?

Is it about freedom

of the Germans in Gdańsk,

which is not in danger,

or about prestigious matters,

or is it about moving Poland

away from the Baltic Sea,

for which Poland

will never allow!

What are you doing here?

We came… you know.

Why didn’t you say so?

Mr. Jankowski!

Squirts are here

for the papers!

- Give’em papers.

- What papers?

- What are the papers for?

- What was I to say?

Didn’t I tell you

it’s a Daimler Benz?

You’re the baron

in such a limousine.

It’s better than the ones

the police have.

Quiet, slave. Go shine

your master’s shoes.

These are the international

affairs experts.

- Do you recognize them?

- Of course. The Hahn brothers.

They should join

the League of Nations.

I’m sure they will.

In jail.

They wanted to return the car.

It doesn’t matter,

professors.

Poles should have

more dignity.

My grandfather

was German.

- That’s ever worse.

- The Hahns.

When I first saw you, I had

a moment of genuine pride.

When I first saw you,

I thought:

Here are two Athenian youths

who will follow

the ideal of good

and beauty, Kalos Kagathos.

But hubris nestled in

your minds

and I have no other choice

but to expel you.

And to black list you!

You’re expelled. You can collect

their documents, professor.

What is it about?

What are you afraid of?

What am I afraid of?

That one phone call!

I wonder what the consul

will have to say about this.

What laws can

the consul revoke?

He can talk about

the 1907 Hague Convention,

about international scandal,

he can treat this event

as a provocation.

This was in the car.

In the car?

This is the local daily paper.

German Embassy?

Consul von Ziegler.

So tell me what you’re

going to testify?

It looks like they’re about

to tell the truth, sir.

This is the truth, gentlemen.

You were members of illegal

anti-German organization

which planned to kidnap

Consul General of the Reich

in Poznań.

This attempt was thwarted

by our counterintelligence.

Is that understood?

You planned to kidnap

the consul,

for you planned to demand the ransom

in the amount of 20 000 marks.

To continue the terror,

understand?

Of course, it’s all a lie.

I know that it’s a lie.

Your truth is beyond

the scale of your deed.

Sir, can you come here

for a moment!

Yes, I do identify them.

These two young men distributed

subversive leaflets around the city.

I followed them

and saw them do it.

I have them here.

Yes.

Yes, indeed.

Well? Do you

plead guilty?

Yes.

No.

All right, Toni Kruger.

Connect me

to the mayor.

The mayor already knows that

you allowed the boys to take the car.

And that they

should be released.

Come in. Come in.

Don’t pretend

to be shy.

Did you go to the German

printig house before you took the car?

Were you

to distribute the paper?

Then run home and quickly before

I tear your legs out of your asses!

And you’ll go

and cancel everything.

- Me?

- You were the one chasing them!

Listen and be quiet!

Then you’ll go to the consul

and apologize for the mistake.

There was no car theft.

It was a police provocation.

Do you hear me?

Our provocation.

The boys got the car from the consul

to distribute German newspapers.

And you prevented them

from doing it.

Then you’ll go to school and

tell them to accept them back.

They were never expelled,

do you hear me?

He’ll live.

And you learn from your

international experiences.

I understand.

- You don’t.

- I do.

You do?

They shouldn’t go back

to the same school.

What?

- They shouldn’t…

- Andrzej!

They shouldn’t go back

to the same school.

- I want to.

- Andrzej?

I want to go back.

Michał,

don’t go back to the same

school, please.

Mum?

What?

What’s there behind you?

- Books.

- Go there.

Top shelf.

In the middle.

Higher.

This one. What is it?

- What title?

- Vatican Cellars.

Who wrote it?

- André Gide.

- Next to it.

To the left.

- Which one?

- Lower, the first one.

- Short stories. Thomas Mann.

- Under it.

In the middle.

Where? Lower?

To the right, no,

in the middle.

Son, it’s Balzac.

Cousin Bette.

- And under the Cousin?

- What’s this about?

In the middle. This one

This one.

Marcel Proust.

Put them here by the bed.

All of them?

That’s what I said.

He demanded several

books at once.

You think it’s normal?

Why?

Not one book. Several.

Apparently, he wants

to read them all.

He’s always been

so systematic.

Kid,

what other devilish ideas

are brewing in this head of yours?

You took those clothes

from your father?

It’s a much more serious matter,

I’d say international.

I don’t understand.

Weren’t you the one telling me

to join the League of Nations?

I admit it was not

in good taste.

Why? I took it seriously.

And here I am.

Look Hahn, these few sympathizers

of the League of Nations in our school

are all future law students.

But I believe you have

different interests?

Interests can be changed.

Make me a chairman.

In two weeks, this room

will be full.

You stole the limousine

form the consul?

What was I to steal?

The consul?

What’s today’s subject?

Opinions of the

Court of Justice.

- What for?

- It’s in the League of Nations.

Does the League know

about your organization?

No. Why would they?

That’s a mistake. We must

let the League know

- and change the name.

- Why?

You know… I’ve always

associated a sympathizer

with an onanist.

- Watch it, Hahn!

- Why would it?

Because the name

is the most important.

The name is the idea.

For instance - the Union.

Ligue of Nations Friends’ Union.

Doesn’t it sound better?

England - London,

Argentine - Buenos Aires,

- Abyssinia - Addis Abeba.

- What was that?

Belgium - Brussels,

Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

This place was a mess

when you were gone.

The principal almost

got a heart attack.

- Why aren’t you saying anything?

- What’s there to say?

Why did he admit you back?

I promised I’d kidnap

the consul.

You do have a specific

sense of humor, Hahn.

Czechoslovakia? Berlin?

Entente.

Entente?

Entente?

That’s the primary cause. A much more

serious matter than the state.

Entente created

the League of Nations,

which rules all the countries

like Vatican rules the church.

And Abyssinia?

I’ve heard something.

Abyssinia is the colossus’

small stumble.

Now we run fast!

You’re making

a mess again?

You never put it back.

- I’m sorry.

- What are you reading?

In Search of Lost Time.

Sentences here are two pages long.

There I have an idiot

who can’t utter a word.

Simplification.

Make simpler...

And here are sentences that are

two pages long.

Will you attend the Union of Friends’

inaugural lecture?

I will.

If you invite me.

That’s great.

And will you announce that the

Union of Friends of the League

takes over foreign contacts

here, in the school?

Of course. That’s obvious,

isn’t it?

How’s Michał doing?

He’s gone mad.

Why is the League of Nations

such a weak organization?

Why is it unable to cope

with the growing crisis?

Why, gentlemen?

Why can’t it cope

with the growing crisis?

Because, just like any

international organization,

it is ruled by Jews and Masons.

Ruled by dark forces

of conspiracy,

which do not desire unity.

We want the strong

League of Nations.

We.

The Union.

We, the Union.

ANDRZEJ - ORGANIZATION -

MONEY

What now?

Something about

the Treaty of Versailles.

I’ll give you a very

interesting work.

Our university’s achievement.

The University which is

compared to Gottingen,

to Heidelberg.

To Heidelberg before 1933,

that is.

Analysis of international ties,

that I found in Europe.

It is terrifying in its purport.

Europe is a feeding ground,

on which something’s rotting,

something’s decaying,

something’s pulsating.

Only chaos, nothing but

decaying chaos.

I hate Europe.

You promised me something, sir.

You promised to introduce

me to the consul.

Bon apetit.

Someone looked through

my notebook again.

You’re overreacting.

Andrzej, please,

don’t come late for dinner.

He already knows.

I can read you what I wrote,

just tell me to.

Is it how it’s done?

- Some did it.

- Who?

Tolstoy, for instance.

Those dinners must

have been long.

Stefan!

Just think.

Stefan...

Think!

He read War and Peace

over dinner.

When did they sleep?

Will I be speaking as a representative

of my country or as a private person?

As a representative

of your country.

Berlin must agree to this.

And it’ll take time.

What if you acted

as a private person?

I think I still have that

kind of freedom, right professor?

Speaking of freedom,

why do you hate

Europe so much?

It has to do with age.

The older one gets,

the less tolerant

one becomes.

But today’s youth

isn’t at all tolerant.

Right, Andrzej?

Let’s go, professor.

Next year I’ll be driving a Horch.

I won’t be needing you today.

Get in, Mr. Hahn.

Don’t look so glum.

We’ll take professor home.

You’d better drive.

You do know how

valuable this limousine is.

Andrzej, call me

when you’re ready.

We’ll go for a ride.

I’m curious which route you took

when you borrowed my car.

Your police commissioner claims

that you wanted

to kidnap me for ransom.

Strangely, he’s convinced of it.

What should I talk about

to the members of your organization?

About the reasons which

led Germans

to leave the League of Nations.

Is that acceptable?

An interesting subject.

I need a week

to prepare.

Of course.

- You’re playing?

- I am.

Draw now.

There is no organization

without money.

- Does it work?

- No.

Order an entry fee

of 100 zlotys.

I’ll order 200

if I have to.

And you’ll become

a treasurer.

- Let’s play.

- Shuffle.

Who’s playing with whom?

Let’s play as we seat.

You’re shuffling.

- And?

- He wants 2 000.

- Is he crazy?

- He can’t sell it cheaper.

- Does it come with a clip?

- Sure!

Fuck! I told you there’s no

organization without money.

What about the consul?

It’s fine. He’ll let us drive.

We just need to eliminate the driver.

Fine.

Do you really believe

what you’re saying?

Do you believe

what you’re reading?

Beck believes

what he’s saying.

Bullshit. Neither Beck believes it,

nor Goebbels.

It’s a game.

- You won’t be playing?

- I’d rather look from a side.

- You’re missing out.

-Maybe I am.

But I’ll be there for

the consul’s lecture.

How do you know?

How do you know,

I want to invite the consul?

Don’t think about it.

Bad writers describe

the likes of you:

He was to become

a happy man.

And good writers?

Good writers?

Good writers observe.

- Who are you here to see?

- Mr. Feliński.

- He’s drinking on stage.

- Yes. Uncle!

This is Michał Hahn.

My godson.

The future of Poland.

And this is Poland’s past:

Michał Szik, a violinist.

Mikołaj Palasz,

a playwrite.

Andrzej Podchorski,

a fallen poet.

Franciszka Felińska,

my muse and inspiration.

And me. Your disinherited

godfather.

The most tragic person

of them all.

Come up to the stage.

What’s that you’re holding?

- My story.

- You finished it?

- No.

- Don’t.

Stay in the auditorium.

My tragedy is so great

that I have to drink on stage.

That’s the only proper scale.

Your tragedy is that you’re

pathologically jealous.

Write a play about it.

What’s funny

isn’t always dramatic.

You don’t know

how to suffer, Maks.

To create a masterpiece, one must

first swim in a lot of shit.

If so, I’m giving you Franciszka.

You can rape her.

But write a great poem!

Of course I’ll rape her.

Our world is dying

natural death, gentleman.

That’s about time.

I’m awfully tired with it.

Gentlemen, young

generation is listening.

Are you also so corrupt?

Leave him be, he’s from

a decent home.

So it’s time

to drop the shackles.

He’s already rebelled. He’s stolen

consul’s limousine.

He could have

started a war.

Where? Where are you going?

Where?

Fuck off, man.

Fuck off.

Why are you laughing at me,

gentlemen?

And you laughed the hardest.

Take a seat, man.

You laughed the hardest.

- We’ll fight.

- Sit down.

Come to the side,

we’ll fight there.

There are no sides here.

Just the wings.

Poland has not yet died

So long as we still live.

Come to the side,

we’ll fight.

Poland has not yet died

as long as we still live.

Guadeloupe seamen.

Come, come.

Mr. Michał Hahn.

Tonight’s mascot.

Nice to meet you - Bogdański.

We’ve already met.

Do forgive me but

I don’t remember.

It was...

in chairman Sobierajski’s suite.

Oh, yes, of course. I was

very distracted then.

Master!

You’re leading again.

Master!

And for the little one?

Just a smidge.

I’m an artist.

Sure you can.

You can do anything.

Anything.

There’ll be no punishment.

The final judgement

is to be a great surprise.

Of course, there’ll be bad people

who’ll ruin all the fun

by hiding in the darkest places.

Darkest places.

I know where to get the money.

From Bogdański.

How?

He’s a thief, a snitch,

and a drug addict.

Ask him to pay

for your silence.

Well…

Write to Bogdański.

You write.

You’re the author.

Fine.

Gentlemen. Gentlemen,

leave me please.

Just leave me alone.

Do not blackmail me anymore.

Please, gentlemen.

See?

Action - reaction,

action - reaction.

Acts on command.

You didn’t talk to us

about that.

I haven’t talked to you

about many things.

Many things aren’t

done here, Michał Hahn.

What brings you here?

Prose?

You were printing, weren’t you?

A Poem About Jesus, yes.

Am I to assess?

Are you here for the sake

of our old friendship?

You did the right thing.

I’ll give you

my honest opinion.

I’ll give you the whole truth,

man to man.

That’s what you want?

Yes.

Please.

You know very well that

nothing here happens fast.

Just think.

I’m teaching.

I’m waiting.

So what will this writing

give you, huh?

You find it funny, mother?

No. Sit.

I just don’t know,

what one feels.

I don’t know what one feels,

that’s all.

One feels power.

One feels fire. No. One feels

fervour that burns one out.

And one is jealous of everyone

else who just must succeed.

Will you succeed?

- Answer me. Will you?

- I don’t know yet.

You’ve changed.

Apparently this

changes people.

Well, Hahn,

you write...

long sentences.

Because the story is short.

You, Andrzej,

take on the manners

of a leader.

I hear you’re setting up

Hitler - Jugend.

I will if need be.

You show...

undoubted literary knowledge.

Yes, quite a knowledge.

What else can I tell you?

I don’t believe a single

word you wrote here.

But if that’s true…

No, it’s fiction.

You know what, Hahn?

Literature isn’t born

out of thin air.

Can I give it to someone

else so they could assess it?

I cared for your assessment

but if you want to…

In any case, you can safely

consider it

your first literary success.

You can see here

all the Polish kings.

My visit here is both

optimistic and symbolic.

The lecture which I give

standing under your eagle

shows that unnecessary tensions

between our two countries

won’t last long.

The great German writer talked

about the spirit of politics

and the spirit of art.

He talked about similarities

and about contradictions.

I would rather focus

on similarities.

I’m convinced by a writer

who says:

“You can disguise yourself,

dress up as an attaché,

as a Lieutenant of the Guard

on vacation,

but you can barely raise

your eyes,

you can barely

open your mouth,

- and everyone knows you’re a nobody.”

- He’s quoting Mann. Interesting.

“…that you are

someone strange...

someone weird...

someone else.”

But you’ll recognize the artist

at first glance.

I was asked

why Germany left

the League of Nations.

Well, in the last scene of

The Magic Mountain

Hans Castorp gets lost in

the trenches of the Great War.

What was the brave soldier’s

further faith?

Did he die or

manage to survive?

Let’s imagine,

he’s left his seclusion

to march with the others.

Let’s imagine,

that he didn’t die,

that he saved himself.

If he did, he saw

that victorious powers prevented

Germany from attending

the Versailles conference

and imposed a deal

that would make Germany

lose its importance

in Europe forever.

Disarmed Germany was to have only a

professional army of 100 000.

Brave Hans Castorp

would be surprised,

hearing about the 15-year occupation

of the Rhineland,

about the occupation of

the Saar Basin, about the fact

that only Germany was blamed

for the outbreak of the war.

This simple-minded Castorp,

a humble rationalist,

son of the Hanseatic city of Lübeck,

would certainly

be very surprised.

Mr. Andrzej Hahn

please come with me.

Do excuse me.

He’d have been amazed that the

provisions of the Versailles Treaty

were to be controlled

by the League of Nations,

which did not want to admit

Germany as a member,

but allowed the victorious powers

to exploit Germany

in the majesty of the law

that it should uphold.

I know that Hans Castorp

would not wring his hands.

He would not go back

to his seclusion,

to this sanatorium in Davos.

Rather, he’d roll up his sleeves

to show that Germany

cannot be exploited by force.

You fucking policemen!

You can do shit!

We’re not policemen

but they can be here soon.

All I got to do

is dial a number.

Who ratted?

Adam Hartwig.

That’s your name

in Michał’s story.

"Adam Hartwig was deeply affected

by the public humiliation

he was subjected to

by the police chief

in our seemingly peaceful

and sleepy town.

So he decided to do exactly

what the police chief accused him of

and to what he confessed. In a word:

he decided to kidnap the consul

and dot the i’s.

Contrary to the appearances

that he created around him

Adam was a weak and

insecure man,

but he never wanted

to admit his weaknesses.

Just as he would never

admit his immaturity,

for he wanted too much to be

masculine and bodacious”.

Should I go on?

Please.

“The fact that he managed to easily

gain control over school organization,

raised him up to the level

never before achievable to him”.

More?

Enough.

I understand.

No, no I don’t.

I’ll translate it for you.

Mr. Hahn,

do you know you’re German?

Do you know that

great Germany

will be here in few weeks?

And Germans will come to you,

they’ll address you,

they’ll address their countryman

and what will you tell them?

You are an intelligent man.

What will you tell them?

That you didn’t know?

What do you think

I should do?

The same thing you’re doing.

Just not here

and not now.

And not as a Polish brat,

but as German patriot.

Can I have the notebook back?

You’ll get it.

When you deserve it.

He would have noted, however,

that not even the thought of de facto

equal rights for Germany is allowed.

The proof was the League of Nations’

categorical refusal

to grant Germany equal rights

in the field of arms.

What is Hans Castorp

doing now?

To quote Adolf Hitler:

“In foreign policy,

the government's mission will be

to defend Germany's right to exist,

and thus to regain

our nation’s freedom.

The government will help to include

Germany in the community of nations

as a state equal to others,

thus having the same rights.”

Thank you.

It was brave of you to

quote Thomas Mann.

Have I managed to gain

a little trust?

Because I was also

quoting Hitler.

Not the first time,

I might add.

Wasn’t this your duty?

My duty?

Yes, it might have been

my duty.

But to whom?

To Hitler?

Gents, we’re looking for the driver!

To school, around the corner.

Are you mad? Why didn’t you

get in the car?

- You fucker.

- Don’t be hysterical.

I’ll get in the car

when the time is right.

Where have you been?

Hurry up, god dammit.

Your duty is to wait for me

by the car.

How did it happen?

That’s how they react when the German

consul speaks in a Polish school

to the friends of

the League of Nations!

Did you inform Berlin

about what happened?

Don’t you understand,

that this is Berlin’s reaction?

Get in.

Does a municipal court judge have

a right to philander in a brothel?

He doesn’t.

Does a magistrate clerk, a father,

have the right to screw in a brothel?

Does Adam’s father have the right

to philander in a brothel?

God! That’s my old man.

And who’s this?

He doesn’t have a right

to philander either.

I paid.

Treasurer!

All the money for the brothel.

Do you agree?

Yes!

Organization is disbanded.

Why?

I’ll come back to you after

the holidays. Do you agree?

Yes!

- Do you trust me?

- Yes!

Show me your cocks!

So? Shall we have fun?

We can.

Where was I? Where?

Where were you?

Come. Come.

Is uncle Maks here?

He is. Drunk and asleep.

I came to talk to you, uncle.

- To me?

- Yes.

So talk. Talk.

Nothing serves conversation

like a shared bed.

The boy has problems.

He wants to write.

He can’t do it. He’s not

very good at it.

So he wants to be an artist.

You took it out of my mouth.

I don’t remember.

Your relative wants

to be an artist.

- Does your father know?

- No.

So art is not a toy for children.

It starts innocently;

a letter to an editor,

a poem for a fiancée,

an innocent thought of plagiarism…

And just like with vodka,

you become addicted.

You become weird,

you think the world

doesn’t understand you.

Maks...

But you don’t understand

that he wants to be a great artist.

You have to do something awful.

Something, that will follow

you your whole life.

Like killing your own mother.

Have you read

Stavrogin’s Confession?

He wants to be great.

So be great.

This brave new world

awaits your greatness.

And write about us,

about her, about me.

Be great, be outstanding,

describe us.

Show me to the world.

Me and this whole bloody family

because I can't.

Don’t worry.

He doesn’t believe

in anything anymore.

He’s only waiting

for it all to start.

Do you have a gas mask?

They’re said to attack with gas.

For God’s sake!

For God’s sake,

someone took a piss here!

Shush, woman, shush.

Grab a cloth

and wipe it dry.

- Jesus.

- What are we paying you for?

- Jesus.

- Are you stunned?

Mrs. Hahn!

Mrs. Abramska,

leave that alone.

I’ll wipe it.

Ease yourself, you didn’t

make it with the consul.

I’m not done with the consul,

I’m not done

with the consul.

In our family, the stronger

never beats the weaker!

Don’t speak

for the whole family.

As far as I know, we have close

relatives in Germany.

Uncle Karol, uncle Grubisz,

the Hahn cousins in Essen.

Should I enumerate further?

- What are you reading?

- No reading while eating.

The Vatican Cellars.

You should read it.

What’s it about?

About a young man who commits

murder as an experiment.

He wanted to define

the limits of his freedom.

Have you defined them yet?

I have.

Writing gives me freedom.

I don’t understand a thing.

But no matter.

- So you feel free?

- Yes.

I can’t...

I don’t know how

to talk to you.

Maybe they decide against it.

Summer is a bad time for politicians.

Professor, this can’t be

connected to seasons.

Noel keeps hindering us,

Chamberlain doesn’t have a clue.

Let them finally make up

their minds and soon.

I don’t know. I don’t know.

I’m scared. Worried

about the boys.

I’m teaching him. Nothing.

So I’m waiting.

Demosthenes was also born

with a speech impediment.

What are you writing?

Michał,

you’re writing about us?

We don’t exist anymore.

I’m writing about myself, mother.

You’re too young for that.

Too young.

Why did you say you don’t

exist anymore?

Isn’t that obvious?

Scallywags…

- Michał?

- Yes?

Take your uncle

back to the hotel.

Fine.

We’re not seeing patients today.

Molar tooth is moving.

That’s different.

Mr. Andrzej Hahn.

Your great-grandfather

was a German,

born in Bavaria.

Came to Poznań

in 1877.

Establishes a branch of Hanh

China and Faience, LTD.

He marries a Pole

and stays.

- Is that accurate, Mr. Hahn?

- Yes.

Your father

will have to decide

but Mr. Andrzej Hahn

already has.

Is that right?

Yes.

These are your people.

My dear Hahn.

Were you in the prosectorium?

Lot’s of dead bodies.

Nothing to worry about.

You’ll go there and

help them load.

Can I have my notebook back?

You came here,

so you will.

These are IDs and Polish

mobilization cards.

Put those in their pockets.

We must feed

the German hatred.

Mr. Hahn!

This might come in handy.

Mr. Hahn!

So will this.

From a mental hospital.

50 per person.

Lift it, lift it.

Shirt, tie, pants.

Pants, shirt,

tie. We got them.

Come here and help.

Move it, quickly.

Zemanek told me

to give this to you.

He said that this other person

who read it

is delighted.

- You’re done writing?

- No.

Why?

Work is further away from me

than my fingernail from my eye.

As Rimbaud would say.

What would Rimbaud say

about dressing corpses?

I don’t know.

How did Rimbaud die?

His leg got rotten.

His leg got rotten?

His leg got rotten.

And I thought artists

have beautiful deaths.

You guessed right.

Gentlemen! You can begin!

Adam Hartwig

was deeply affected

by the public humiliation

he was subjected to

by his commanding officer

in our seemingly peaceful

and sleepy town.

So he decided to do exactly

what the officer accused him of

and to what he confessed.

In a word: Adam Hartwig

decided to kidnap the consul

and dot his i’s.

Contrary to the appearances

he created around him,

Adam Hartwig was a weak

and insecure man.

but he never wanted to admit

his weaknesses.

Just as he would never admit

his immaturity,

for he wanted too much

to be masculine

and bodacious.

Why me?

Translated by Emilia Puszczyńska