Darkroom (2019) - full transcript

Bastian...

Are you still alive?

If I don't hear from you today,
I'm coming to Berlin.

We're worried about you.

Moabit Criminal Court
Berlin, 2010

Parties interested in
the Lars Schmieg trial may now enter.

Please stop taking photos.

Good morning.

Please be seated.

Moabit Correctional Facility
Berlin, 2010

My name is Lars Schmieg.



I'm always strapped down. The lights burns
all night. There's a permanent guard.

I've tried to kill myself twice.

It's dinnertime, Herr Schmieg.

So, how was your day?

I can't complain.

Are the tomatoes blossoming yet?

And how! Also the cucumbers,
the zucchini, the pumpkins...

My wife demanded a blue veronica bush,

- also known as "men's fidelity".
- I know them.

- Enjoy your meal.
- Thanks.

Does your wife like gardening too?

I'm the one with the green thumb.

She prefers to lie
in her deck chair and read.

- The tomatoes?
- Yeah.



Beautiful.

- So, eat up!
- Yeah.

I could show you more, but...

Shit! Not again!

Erwin!

Erwin! We need a doctor!

Freely edited according to a real event

I'd like to check some
of the defendant's particulars.

Your name is Lars Schmieg.

You were born in Saarbrücken.

You are a licensed nurse.

At the time of your arrest
you were in training to become a teacher.

You are German and unmarried.

I am neat and clean.
I am a model human being.

I've led a normal life, resolute and honest.

- Did you write that for me?
- I won't say.

And if I plaster your cock and
hang it on the wall?

I still won't say.

And what if I have it for breakfast?

Not now, okay? I'm really tired.
I have to go home and fall into bed.

I'll be so glad when all
this work is finally done.

It will be the most
beautiful flat in Berlin!

I'd say it'll take one more month.

The wardrobe will go there,
the couch over here. That will be our view.

Is the jacket new?

Yes and no.
It's new on me, but second hand.

- Cool! I like it. Chic.
- Thanks.

I feel like watching a film.
Why don't you sleep at my place?

Listen, I'm meeting someone at home.

I knew it.

- Have fun.
- Don't get dramatic.

I said, "Have fun!"

- But how you said it!
- How's that?

Bitchy!

- It's just sex. It has nothing to do with us.
- You said you're going home to sleep.

You know I love you.

We'll meet tomorrow after work.

Open your mouth.

Stick out your tongue.

What is that?

A miracle.

Come on!

Where did you get the drops?

Are you a cop?

No. Where?

- It's wheel rim cleaner.
- What cleaner?

Rim cleaner from the Internet.
Now piss off.

Piss off! I'm busy.

But don't mix it with alcohol!

Wanker...

Everybody's taking GBL [pre-stage
liquid ecstasy]. It's non-addictive.

You just have to hit the right dose.

If you don't take it with alcohol,
you won't land in the hospital.

Otherwise GBL means
two hours of nonstop fucking.

That's not so easy without it.

And it's cheap and easy to get.

That's good fun, right?

Moabit Criminal Court
Berlin, 2010

Herr Schmieg,

your victims were poisoned
with so-called knockout drops, with GBL.

Is it true that you ordered
this solvent on the Internet?

Yes. That's correct.

And you knew that more than
2.5 milliliters can cause death?

Yes.

You've testified that you
measured 1.5 ml with a syringe

and used it to prepare
small bottles of alcohol.

That's correct.

How is it that forensic examinations have
found more than 20 ml in your victims?

And I assume you knew that alcohol
increases the effects of this poison?

No, I didn't know that. I mixed it
with alcohol to mask the bad taste.

You admit you wanted
to mask the bad taste.

How does that fit with your assertion

that your victims
ingested this solvent intentionally?

Can't you see
how contradictory your statements are?

You're twisting everything around!

I didn't want any of that.

Here you go.

"Madame" gay bar
Saarbrücken, 2003

This takes too long! Who put that
wannabe queen in charge?

If he was at least hot,
a sweet boy or...

Just look at those dead eyes,
like a shark!

Hello... Hey! He's ignoring us.
What an arrogant fag!

He's doing it on purpose.
He doesn't want to make money.

Look at that gnome face,
those dead eyes...

I think he's hot.

When did your taste get so rotten?

- How did you sleep?
- Fine, thanks.

- It wasn't too narrow?
- No, just right.

I meant the bed.

That too.

Do you remember who I am?

Sure, the cute guy in the cloakroom.

I'm the bartender.

Sorry. That was
the day before yesterday.

And how was I?

To tell the truth, quite dreadful.

- Charming and honest.
- That's me.

- I find use a bit too much tongue.
- Really?

- Oh, God...
- How disgusting!

Such swinish wickedness in my house!

Grandma, I can explain everything.

- You live with your grandmother?
- No.

- Oh yes!
- I mean yes, but...

But not much longer! Get out!

- Calm down! I'm naked, I can't...
- OUT!

If you're in a band,
you just have to go to Berlin.

With the band, yeah?

There's no way I'll be playing here
at the Madame for the next 10 years.

No.

Berlin is hot. That's where
you get rich and famous.

That's where you belong.

Thanks.

I know it's shitty for the two of us,
but there are telephones, we can write...

- We could send a carrier pigeon.
- We could...

if you know where to find one.

- A little too slow.
- How about a carrier eagle?

Too expensive.

Why don't you come too?

- I don't know. Manuel and Bastian...
- What about them?

- They can't stand me.
- Bullshit!

It was so from the beginning.

They hate me.

You're coming with me to Berlin.

I'll open it up...

The question is
how do we get them to fit?

No problem. They should fit if we...

Or you just break them in half, Roland.

- It wasn't on purpose!
- Of course not.

They're brand new!

- They're made that way.
- Just stick it back together.

I bey you don't manage.

- I'll take that bet.
- How much?

Pull back a bit.

I'd say to the left.

Well, why not?

Did you know that Bastian
kept warning me about you?

He never trusted you.

And now we've been together
for six years.

- Are you laughing at me?
- No.

I was just thinking

that the first time I saw you, I thought
you were the biggest slut in Saarbrücken.

Oh my God! And did it
turn out to be true?

I won't say.

Was it true?

I won't say.

How was it?

It was wonderful.

- Can you imagine having kids?
- Kids?

Absolutely.

I'd train them to be coolest,
most incredible acrobatic soldiers.

What's the matter?

Not out here in front of people.

You work in the Madame, have balled
your way through half Saarbrücken,

but holding my hand
is too gay for you?

Is this embarrassing?

- That's too embarrassing even for me.
- Hey, come back!

Ladies and gentlemen,
the show is just beginning!

- Our house?
- Exactly. Our house.

- I'll paint a window on the left.
- And I'll paint one on the right.

- I'll make mine round.
- Then mine will be square.

- A doorbell?
- That's important.

- A cloud?
- Very good. And paint a eagle.

Oh yeah!

- I'll make the roof.
- Super.

Down here, a little path.

And we'll put ourselves over here.

- I'll paint you.
- And of course, I'll paint you.

- You get lovely angel's curls.
- I'll give you a slightly receding hairline.

But very slight!

I'll give you a beautiful erect penis.

I'll give you one too.

- Oh, it turned out a bit droopy.
- That's okay. It's just on its way up.

- Do I really look so grim?
- That's not grim.

Lars...

Can I sleep at your place tonight?

- Of course. I wouldn't leave you alone.
- Thanks.

Tomorrow I can call the school
and say I'm sick.

No, you don't have to do that.

Of all the trainees
I've had to do with over the years,

Herr Schmieg was one of the best.

He seemed so
uncomplicated and down-to-earth.

The students really liked him.

I had the impression
that he felt right at home with us.

He said that since his childhood
he wanted to be a teacher.

Once he'd completed the course, his chances
of working with us were very good.

During the search of your apartment,
documents were discovered

which indicate that you stole
an ex-friend's diploma,

changed his name to yours, and used the
forgery to enroll in the Free University.

Yes, that's correct.

But my professors and students
would tell you I'm a very good teacher.

That may be,

but what this really proves
is that you are a very good liar.

You never passed the final exam
of your nursing course. Isn't that so?

Okay, but that's due to one credit that
the course instructor refused to give me

because she has something
against my homosexuality.

Nevertheless, I'm an excellent nurse.

- Did Helga pull it off?
- Yes.

Could you put the bed down?

I always open the window so that
the soul can ascend to heaven.

I'll fold the hands together
while they're still warm.

Would you comb her hair?

Her daughter gave me a crucifix.
I'll put it here.

You're so tender.

I don't have the patience
after so many dead people.

I'll go fill out the papers.

I can only say that Lars
was a wonderful colleague,

a great nurse.

He would always take over my shift when
my daughter was sick. I'm a single mother.

I thought we were real friends.

We'd have a beer after work
or watch a movie.

So I was very disappointed when
he cut off contact after he moved to Berlin.

He didn't answer messages
or pick up the phone.

I found it a pity. It made me sad.

Beyond that, was there anything remarkable
about the time you worked with Herr Schmieg?

I must admit that some drugs
disappeared during that time.

I didn't connect Lars to that.
I never saw him steal anything.

I can only say that

no more drugs disappeared
after he left us.

Herr Schmieg...

In that you stole the wallets
of your victims, you took a great risk.

Your victims carried little cash,

and you managed to draw money
with only one bank card.

For the others you had no PIN.

Furthermore, you received a substantial
inheritance from your grandmother.

Financial need was not your motive.

Is there an explication?

I feel bad.

Something happened
that I don't understand.

What a shitty concert!

If they could make it,
we will explode!

First Berlin, then the whole world!
Rich and famous!

What's wrong?

Are you all right?

It's that stomach ache again.

You're sure it's not just your period?

- I'm okay. I just need some sleep.
- Go on home.

Have a good night. You too.

See you later, Lars.

Manuel's been a little strange lately.

He's been having these stomach cramps.

You know him. At the first sign
of pain, he thinks he's dying.

He'll be okay in no time.

Bastian and I were together
for about a year.

He was my first real lover.

After we broke up,
we remained very close friends.

I liked his next friend Manuel
very much. He was a lovely guy.

The three of us formed a band.

Those two were wonderful together.

That's why I was so deeply shocked

by how Bastian behaved when
it became clear that manual had cancer.

How are you?

You look terrible.

Are they treating you all right?

Are they good-looking
the doctors, the orderlies?

- Come on!
- One looks good.

Yeah?

- What does he look like? Come on...
- A bit like you.

- He looks like me?
- Similar.

And? Does he jerk you off?

No. I don't have private insurance.

Listen, I have one or two gigs lined up...

That's why I can't come
to visit you for a while.

And you know,
I have to take care of my mom.

- What?
- It's not that bad! I just wanted you to know.

- You won't come for a while?
- That's right.

- What?
- I can't come for a while.

How long?

I don't know.

You know why I'm lying here?
That I'm...

Yes. I know.

But I...

- They don't know if I'll ever come out.
- Yeah...

My chances are 5%.

I can't... No!

I just can't take it.

I can't visit anymore.

- It's too much for me.
- It doesn't matter how you feel.

- I'm the one lying here, not you. Alone....
- I have to take care of myself!

I have to go my own way,
or I'll end up a flop.

- Man, don't go...
- I'm sorry.

- You're leaving now?
- Yes, I'm leaving.

Please don't...

- I'm sorry.
- But I can't to follow you!

No. Stay here. Please... Stay here!

- Why don't you write to him?
- I've sent 5 SMS's and called him 14 times!

Call him again.

Bastian, damn it, where are you? I've texted
and called so often. You have to come!

Manuel needs you! Damn it to hell,
you can't let him die alone!

He's online, cruising Gay Romeo.

Bastian...

Anyone who ignores a friend
in such distress can be no friend of mine.

Sorry.

Hello! I have to make a phone call!

So, Herr Schmieg,

telephone calls in pre-trial
custody are not allowed.

- I know, but just one...
- That also applies to you.

I have to explain things to Roland!

I'm asking you to quit
disturbing the rest of the other inmates.

I have to make a phone call! Untie me!

- Untie me! I have to make...
- Stop your screaming, Herr Schmieg.

One call!

- I'm begging for just one call!
- Herr Schmieg, answer one question.

Did you allow your victims
a phone call before you murdered them?

- I just have to...
- Good night.

At least turn off the light!
I can't sleep! This is torture!

Good. Spread it evenly.

Do you want to come to my place later?

- If you keep doing such sloppy work, no.
- I have lasagna from yesterday.

But seriously, today is difficult.
I have papers to correct.

It will take all night.

Hurry. I can't hold it long.
But be careful.

You're supposed to be careful!

I can't work with this shitty thing!

Kiss my ass!

- Do it yourself!
- Great! Fantastic...

Now I should do it alone. Thanks a lot.

Hello, Bastian.

That doesn't sound like Roland.

If he wants contact, why send you?

He didn't send me.

He's been talking a lot about you.
He misses you.

Do you miss me?

You were always
jealous of our friendship.

You couldn't stand me.

Don't worry.
I still can't stand you.

I just want Roland to be happy.

Since you've been gone,
he hasn't been himself.

I really miss him.

If you could give him any photos
or souvenirs from your time with him,

he'd love it.

Look...

Here we were in Venice.

Scova.

Roland told me about that trip.

- He adored that 4-star hotel.
- Oh yeah, it was super.

Here we are on the beach.

- Is that you?
- Yeah.

You already had a mustache?

Shut up.

Hang on a minute... There he is.

Take this one.

That's great. I like it.

Wait a second. Something's wrong.

I can't breathe...

Lie down.

It'll be over soon.

Try to relax.

Hey, Basty. It's me, Mama.

Give me a ring.

They found Bastian
dead in his apartment.

What?!

That was his mother on the phone.

The police say it was an overdose.

Can you believe that?

- Does that surprise you?
- Drugs!

It doesn't surprise me.

It seems to me that we're the only gays
in Berlin without psychological problems.

Look at me.

I'm so glad that we have each other.

What's certain about my son Bastian
is that he didn't take drugs

and did not commit suicide.

That's what the police believed at first.

Bastian and I discussed
absolutely everything.

About men and sex... Really everything.

If he took drugs, I would have known.

I told the police

that his bank card was used
to draw money on the day after he died.

The bank statement made that clear.

That convinced the police
to continue their investigation.

That shirt is so chic. Lumberjack style.

Plaid is so cool.
I like it when boys dress like that.

The sleeves ripped off...

Do you go to a fitness studio?

The only weights I lift are beer bottles.

He's a comedian!

Let's have a drink.
When are you done with your shift?

That depends on when I manage
to sweep out the last cadaver.

You're so funny!

- Come on, let's have just one.
- No, no. Stop asking!

Hello!

Who are you?

I haven't seen you here before.
You're from somewhere else, right?

Let's have a drink. I'll buy.

No kissing. You don't touch me.
You do what I tell you to do.

If you understand that,
go wait for me. I'll bring the drinks.

Two beers.

- What's wrong?
- I think I had too many beers.

- Oh my God!
- Sit up.

I have to go home.

- Look at me!
- Oh God! I can't breath!

Hey man. Wake up!

Hey, move it! We're closed!

Shit, I think he croaked.

There's nothing worse
than the death of one's child.

Although our son was a grown man,
a son remains a son.

You can't change that.

The pain is indescribable.

And then there's where and how he died.

Our son didn't have an easy row to hoe.

Being gay isn't always easy.

Some years were very rocky for him,
and we had little contact.

But for the last four or five years,

he'd found such peace and contentment,
and we saw much more of him.

He often traveled to our town.

And my wife and I
often visited him here in Berlin.

What are you drinking?

Schnapps. Want some?

Oh yeah!

But take it easy. It's strong stuff.

Leave some for me! It's all I have.

- Very good, very good. Thanks.
- You're really rabid.

But I have something even better.

This here.

- I know that.
- No, you don't know this.

Distilled by me. It's only for...

- It's not for pussies.
- You made it?

Yeah.

It's my grand mother's recipe.

Disinfectant! Can I try it?

Of course.

We'll drink together.

- Arm in arm.
- All right.

- But I'm not gay!
- Me either.

That's really rabid stuff!

- The devil's brew!
- It's very hard stuff.

Come on, I'll take you home.
It's almost time for the bus. Sit down!

Call an ambulance! I feel awful...

What are you doing?

Help!

Help!

I woke up in the hospital.
The doctor said

a few minutes later would
have been too late.

I was incredibly lucky.

I keep in touch with the couple
who called 911 and saved me.

When I'm in Berlin,
I always look them up.

When I regained consciousness
after the night I thought: "Shit!

If I'd have died,
I'd have seen nothing of the world."

That's why I travel everywhere
and write a travel blog.

Cambodia is next.

I want to have seen the whole world
because I know every day could be my last.

For that I'm almost grateful to that swine,
but just almost.

and now the Berlin police
are asking for your help.

Do you recognize the man
from the surveillance video?

This could be the man
who murdered Tony A.

Tony A. was found dead some days ago
in a gay club in Berlin-Friedrichshain.

Relevant information
can be reported to any police station.

Good morning.

- How long did I sleep?
- Not long enough.

I could have watched you
sleeping all night.

We have so much to do
before the furniture comes.

I think we should take a break today.

What good is a new apartment
if you wander around like a zombie?

Shall I order pizza?

You claim you recognized the defendant
Lars Schmieg from the blurry video.

Believe me, no pictures could be
so blurry that I wouldn't recognize him.

- God, no!
- Shut your damn mouth!

- There's money over there! Take it!
- I don't want your damn money!

Get over there! On your knees!

Eyes closed! Hands behind your back!

- Open your mouth!
- Please don't hurt me!

Open your damn mouth!

Show me your tongue!

Stop! Stop! Stop!

Are you nuts?

You said you'd tie me up
and fuck the hell out of me!

No mention of alcohol!

- I thought it would turn you on.
- Not likely! I've been dry for two years.

Sorry. I couldn't know that. You wrote:
"Do whatever you want with me."

It's okay.

You really couldn't have known.

We could just go on
from where we left off.

You bad...

clueless...

wicked robber.

Let me...

Please, please...

You have to imagine,
it was the best sex date I've ever had.

And believe me,
I’ve had plenty sex dates.

Then, when I saw
the surveillance video...

I realized I could have died that night.

That I was just unbelievably lucky

that I only swallowed a couple
of drops, and that the man...

who realized for me
such a fantastic experience

actually wanted to kill me.

My little man,
I'll get you out of here.

I need you.

My grandfather was my hero.

I wanted to be just like him.

In the name of the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit: Amen.

Herr Director Schmieg was
the best director our school ever had.

His door was always open.

Anyone could go to him
with their cares and questions.

May his soul rest in peace.

Now you're the man in the family.

Listen, Lars. You have to make
your grandfather proud.

You have to study hard.

You have to found a family.
That would have been his fondest wish.

Tired, I lay me down to sleep,
now in darkness so still and deep.

Father, may Your all-seeing eye
keep watch above the place I lie.

Let Grandma and those unrelated to me
by Your great hand protected be.

May all the people, big and small,
hear You and obey Your call.

Amen. Well done, my boy.

Put this on. It was grandpa's.

- But it's way too big for me.
- No backtalk!

Then into bed. It's late.

From now on you'll sleep here
in grandpa's bed.

Can't I sleep in my bed?

Lars!

I just lost my husband.

I haven't slept alone in
this bed for 52 years.

In the hardest time of my life,
you won't let me down, will you?

- I have to go to the bathroom.
- Hurry up!

What's taking so long?

You can't sit there forever!

If you don't come out now,
I'm coming in to get you!

Herr Schmieg...

How would you describe your relationship
with your grandmother before her death?

My client chooses not to respond.

Tomorrow, all you girls and boys,

It'll be time for us to rejoice!

After one more sleep we'll awake to say

Yahoo! Al least it's Christmas day!

Okay, okay, you can stop singing.

- Wasn't it any good?
- Well, it sounded like a little girl.

Now don't be sad.
Do you want your present?

YES!

- Do you love your grandma?
- Yes.

- Will you always do what she asks?
- Yes!

Then you will now get
a very special present.

A Bible!

You don't have to be disappointed.
It's a very special Bible.

It's your grandpa's Bible.

It was always on his night table.
He read in it every night.

The Bible will help you
to become a better person,

so you won't be like
the rest of your no-account relatives.

And you will read the Bible every day
as well. Will you promise me that?

- Than you'll be a good person.
- But I wanted a fire truck!

Maybe you'll get a fire truck
for your birthday,

but for now, you have this Bible.

Open this door!

No monkey business here!

- Grandma, look what I brought you.
- I don't want cake!

Is everything all right with you?

If you don't need anything,
I'll just shower and change clothes.

Oh yes, I do need something.
Sit down.

You think I'm so dotty
that I don't notice anything anymore.

You withdrew 10,000 €
from my account!

- When were you going to tell me?
- Calm down. I'm going to pay it back.

Why did I believe you're any better
than the rest of the family?

I even put up with your buggery!

You're just as disappointing
as your parents!

Please calm down.

Tomorrow we'll go to the
notary public to change my will.

I'll leave everything to the Church.
You won't get one cent!

What you do with your
money is totally up to you.

How noble your are!

I just don't want you to be upset.
It's not good for you.

I'll go get your medicine.

Herr Bader...

- You are the life partner of Lars Schmieg.
- Yes.

And together you moved
from Saarbrücken to Berlin.

Yes. When his grandmother died,
he came to Berlin with me.

Were you aware that Herr Schmieg inherited
100,000 € from his grandmother?

No. We never talked about money.

When we bought our apartment, I knew he had
more than he earns with his apprenticeship.

But he didn't talk about money,
and I didn't ask.

At first you had separate apartments
but wanted to live together. Correct?

Yes. It was very important to Lars
that we live together.

Roland, I love you.
Believe me, I didn't want any of this.

This is no place for oaths
of love, Herr Schmieg.

Put it there in the middle.
Stop! Take off your shoes.

The carpet is very delicate.

Just put it there in the middle.

Put it down, but carefully! The carpet...

that's not the middle. A bit to the front.

To the front! Stop! That's too far.

The left side a bit toward me.

A little more. Stop! Now the right side.

One moment...

No, the right side to the front.

Okay, thank you. Please unpack it.

It's stuck there.

It moved a bit.

Take the plastic away
and go to the right side.

A bit toward me, but lift it, please.

Beautiful. You may go. Thank you.

Okay, you can come in now.

Sugar...

Lars, what is this?

This is our space ship.

- Is this the sofa from that shop window?
- Exactly.

- It's much too expensive!
- I stole it.

You're full of surprises.

I'm happy when you're happy.

How would you describe
your relationship to Herr Bader?

The first time I saw Roland in the Madame,

it was clear to me that we
were made for one another.

That between us
there was something different.

In what way "different"?

It was something serious, something stable.

That's unusual among homosexuals.

But isn't true that you and
Herr Bader have an open relationship?

That you both allowed
sexual contact with other men?

Yes, that's correct.

But I didn't really want that. I wanted
a conventional monogamous relationship.

Roland wanted to have sex with other men.

It wasn't easy for me at first,
but as time went by, I came to accept it.

I haven't measured for a while,
but I guess about 7 inches. And yours?

I'll come to you.
I'll be there in about 40 minutes.

I'll take care of the drinks.

Herr Schmieg...

Look carefully at the photographs.

Did you poison this victim
in order to rape him?

No. I didn't want to kill anyone.
I just wanted to have a good time.

A good time...

Herr Bader...

You must have noticed something.
Nothing struck you as strange?

Did Herr Schmieg's behavior
change at all?

No.

How often must I say this? Lars was
just as he always was. I can't explain it.

I can't imagine that Lars
hurt so many people.

That's not the Lars I know.

You lived with this man for 6 years.

You noticed unusual
while he killed three people

- and tried to kill two others?
- I noticed nothing.

At night you lay in bed next to him.
Maybe he talked in his sleep,

telling the whole story.
Did it arouse you to hear it all?

No!

Didn't it turn you on to hear
him talking about it?

He didn't mention it!

He must have come home
and made you feel worthless...

- He was the same as ever!
- knowing he'd rather fuck corpses than you!

- He must have smelled of his victims!
- I noticed nothing!

- I noticed nothing!
- Three dead men!

- I don't believe you!
- I noticed nothing!

- You're lying!
- No.

- You noticed nothing?
- No!!

- Nothing?
- NO!!

Michael, where are you?
The taxi is waiting.

Michael?

Michael!

Yes, hello.

I need your help.
My friend is lying unconscious on the floor.

I don't know what to do.

He's very cold.

Hamburg Street 2, fourth floor.
The name is Hartmann.

We're on the left. Please hurry!

Michael and I were together for 7 years.

We loved each other very much.

We could live in separate apartments
in an open relationship without jealousy.

We gave each other elbow room.

Even so, we were
always there for one another.

Now I feel so alone.

The circle of our friends is large,
and they give me a lot of support.

I'm also close to my family
and to his, but still...

The loneliness is brutal.

Isn't that super?

With your angel's curls,
you're much more photogenic than me.

Poppycock!

My photogenic qualities
are definitely receding.

Bader, hello.

Yes, Roland Bader.

Yes, Bastian was a good friend of mine.

He's my friend.

He's sitting next to me.
Do you want to speak with him?

Okay.

Yeah, hello?

Yes, I'm Lars Schmieg.

No, I haven't seen him for years.

Oh, yeah, of course! There was
a short meeting a few weeks ago.

We ran into each other by chance.

I don't know exactly.

If that's the cell phone data,
then it's probably right.

Okay, thanks. Good-bye.

You met Bastian and didn't tell me?

It was just a short meeting.
He called me.

He wanted me to help him
patch things up with you.

He wasn't doing so well.

So I went to meet him.

I said I wanted to stay out of it.
The whole thing was a mistake,

so I decided not to mention it.

- Where are you going?
- I need to be alone.

Lars!

I've made a terrible mess
and don't see how to save myself.

I haven't hurt anyone.

Never forget, I love you very much.

Come on, Lars. Answer!

Answer... Shit!

Hello?

Are you Herr Lars Schmieg?

Please come with me to the station house.
We have questions involving...

My name is Anna Bäumer.

I'm 52 years old and am
a specialist psychiatric medicine.

Lars Schmieg is a narcissist
tending toward delusions of grandeur

coupled with fluctuating self-esteem.

He committed these murders solely
to assert his need to wield power.

Nevertheless, the defendant is not
suffering from any pathological disorder.

He is fully responsible for his actions.

The defendant is a swindler,
liar, dissembler and dazzler.

In just three weeks
he murdered three men

and attempted to kill two others.

His methods were treacherous and ruthless.

Herr Schmieg is cold-blooded
and selfish; indeed, narcissistic.

The only thing he feels
sorry for is himself.

During the entire trial
I heard no word of compassion or regret.

Lars Schmieg is the most dangerous
serial killer I've ever confronted.

He played with his control over
the life and death of his victims.

He was motivated by malice and greed.

I ask for a sentence of life imprisonment.

I also call for the proviso
of exceptional severity of guilt.

My client has testified
that he never intended to kill anyone.

He is appalled by these events
and regrets them deeply.

Herr Schmieg must answer for
his deeds and freely accepts that.

He knows that he cannot mollify
the suffering of the victims' families.

Thank you.

I grant the defendant,
if he so wishes, his closing words.

My client declines.

With that, the court will adjourn.

The court withdraws for deliberation.

The sentence will be pronounced
on Friday at 12 o'clock noon.

I demand the death penalty!

Please stand.

In the name of the people
the court issues the following order:

The defendant Lars Schmieg...

is guilty of three murders
and one attempted murder.

He is hereby sentenced
to imprisonment for life.

The charge of attempted murder of Alberto
Molina is dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The defendant acted with malicious intent
and failed to show any sign of remorse.

The court hereby recognizes
the exceptional severity of guilt.

I don't know how
you convinced the doctors,

but you're off the suicide watch.

I can unstrap you.

Don't worry.
The drugs are doing me good.

Of course I ask myself if
I did something wrong.

Did I fail to notice some subtle clue?

I feel so terribly sorry
for the deaths of those men.

It's just appalling.

I ask myself if I'll ever
be capable of forgiving him.

But whether I still love him
is out of the question.

The man I loved,
whom I thought I loved for six years...

He never existed.

And the man who
committed those horrible crimes...

Thank God, I never met him.

In his cell he found this Bible saying:

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.