La passante du Sans-Souci (1982) - full transcript
Max Baumstein is a reputable businessman, a rich self-made man with a conscience - he founded a highly visible and active international organization fighting against violations of human rights. Why would he commit an act that apparently negates the principles he has striven for so long to uphold? Eventually, he reveals a secret about himself that he kept hidden from his younger wife Lina, and that in a roundabout way concerns her as well. It is the conclusion of a struggle that started many decades earlier, when Elsa Wiener, a German singer exiled in Paris, without money or relations, a refugee among many others, faced two daunting problems: surviving in a foreign city, and saving her husband Michel from the clutches of the Nazis.
Lina!
Max!
- Thank god.
- Why are you in such a hurry?
- I don't know.
- Did you not see me? No.
It can happen with all the hustle
and bustle here in Paris.
When did we…?
Good afternoon!
- When did you arrive?
- Can you wait in the hotel?
- I've got to discuss something with you.
- I haven't really got much time.
- Maybe on the way to the press conference.
- Sure.
This year we've
decided to restrict
the activities of Solidarity Inter-
national to 3 main objectives.
The 1st focal point is the
release of all arrested workers,
who were arrested because their opinions
were contrary to those in power.
Secondly we emphasize that Irish
republicans in imprisonment in Britain,
should receive the
status of political prisoners.
Thirdly, we wish to make it part
of our campaign,
that prisoners, who suffer torture
in Latin America,
are released,
especially in Chile und Bolivia.
Bravo!
These 3 main issues constitute
the will of our movement.
To protect human rights, there
where they are normally spurned.
I hope that you will appreciate our
efforts in your article accordingly.
And the situation in South Africa?
Our movement has had success
there, despite reprisals…
and the torture, which is
customary in such countries.
If the nations involved cannot
solve the apartheid problem alone,
then all Africa
will start to waver.
Should the
French government intervene?
We don't give advice, Soli-
darity International states facts.
The government has
to judge for itself.
It's rumoured that they wish to
lay down their mandate.
More important, is the Solidarity
International, not the president.
They can rumour, Mademoiselle.
How do you reconcile your function
with Solidarity International
with that as holder of
a Swiss insurance company.
Don't answer.
It's only provocation.
Oh, it's you. It seems to aggrieve
you when money acts for freedom.
I've accumulated a fortune. It gives
me neither fame nor disgrace.
Will you travel to Teheran to obtain
the release of trade unionists?
Can you answer, please?
Our President is always there,
where help is needed,
be it in Teheran or Washington.
Max Baumstein will protest to the
ambassador from Paraguay tomorrow
against the arrest of the young
English woman Betty Healy.
She was arrested and tortured
by the men in power.
- Max?
- Yes?
I miss the house.
Me even more. I've been dreaming
about dinner in Geneva for 2 weeks.
- Just the two of us?
- Yes, and quiet.
Spaghetti with a lot of butter.
Yes? In half an hour.
I reserved a table in the hotel.
Yes, me too. See you later.
Mr. President…
The solicitor is about to arrive,
Charles and the lovely Annie.
Then I suppose I'll get out.
Are you crazy?
I'm a friend of Solidarity and have
something for Mister Baumstein.
Thank you, I'll give it to him.
- What is it?
- An envelope for you.
Open it!
- They're probably documents for tomorrow.
- Show me!
Which one?
I brought you something
from New York.
And what is it?
What is it?
What is it then?
What is it then?
You're insane.
Max Baumstein is insane.
Thanks, Max!
That's great.
Look!
Where?
Max!
You shouldn't get
yourself worked up!
- What's up with you?
- Nothing!
Did I annoy you?
I have to go!
You're hardly there before you
leave me again.
Oh please.
- OK, then I'll go with you.
- No.
- Don't be so stubborn.
- Do you think you're not?
Goodbye, Raimond.
Excuse me,
did this used to be a Cabaret?
- When?
- Before the war.
- No idea.
- Goodbye, Mac.
The exile song, please.
Are you denying that Betty Healy
was arrested by the secret police.
She was never in our country, that
means she could never be arrested.
I think
I've expressed myself clearly.
You are obstructing the course of
justice. Set Betty Healy free!
So there's nothing
you can do with the matter?
My government has proved
that it is of the best will.
The affair, which has been highlighted
by the enemies of our country,
is aimed at harming our President.
So there's no hope?
Unfortunately not. I'm sorry for
this young person… and for you.
Yes.
Mr. Ambassador,
it appears to me, that in 1933
you were an employee
of the Germany Embassy in Paris.
That's right.
What's that got to
do with anything?
If my memory serves me right,
you were then
called Ruppert von Leggaert.
Yes, that's right.
Do you recall
a woman named Elsa?
Elsa Wiener?
Elsa Wiener?
Wiener… - Elsa and Michel Wiener,
Herr Ruppert von Leggaert.
Yes, I remember… vaguely.
Monsieur le President: Why?
It's all such a long time ago.
Charles, my briefcase, please!
I'd like to show you something.
Max!
I've just killed the ambassador
from Paraguay.
You shot the ambassador!
They're still looking for a reason
for the murder of the ambassador.
Only yesterday, Max Baumstein
gave a press conference
to explain the aims of
his movement's new programme.
Baumstein is founder and President
of Solidarity International.
Paris. Today the government
passed three new bills.
Two of them concern
industry and trade.
The third has to do with
Spain's new NATO membership.
The Minister for economics
submitted a plan for the expansion
of research and development
of micro electronics.
It's me, Guefroy.
You can visit him!
- Just one picture!
- Let us go!
No pictures, please be reasonable!
Please, not here!
You've got half an hour.
I'll wait outside.
Have you got a cigarette?
Did they not leave
you with your stick?
They took everything from me.
But in a very polite way.
How are you allowed to visit me?
It's all thanks to Guefroy.
He really looks after you.
- Max?
- Yes?
- I'll always stand by you.
- I know.
- There's nothing to ask.
- I'm not asking anything, I'm just here.
It's as if I met an old phantom.
Who?
Federico Lego.
You knew him?
Then known as
Ruppert von Leggaert.
Give me another cigarette.
Max! Calm down, Max!
We've got plenty of time to talk.
Soon I can visit you every day.
But how should I talk?
Where should I start?
It's a really long story.
- Max, we have time.
- No.
We have no time.
That was all 50 years ago.
It's up to you.
I want you to know about it.
I was young then.
I was 2 years old.
It all started in
March 1933 in Berlin.
Then he spoke about
the third register.
You haven't even done
the exercise for the second one.
Oh well,
the third register is easier.
Dirty Jew!
Daddy!
- Father!
- No! No.
That's a child!
Look at him!
The same will happen to you,
you dirty Jew.
No! No!
Where did that come from?
You used to say,
you had the defect since birth.
Is it not all the same?
The woman. Who was she?
They were friends of my parents. He
was a publisher and she a singer.
So pretty. You were very alike.
She saved my life.
And what was her name?
Elsa. Elsa Wiener.
Yes, Elsa and Michel Wiener.
Up there.
Come on!
They looked after me.
She helped me to
learn to walk again.
Come on!
I became part of her life.
I had only her.
Hey, are you alright?
- Tiring.
- Come on, you can manage it.
And Michel. Michel Wiener.
An incredible human being!
He was an idealist
and advocate of good books.
He spoke very seriously to me.
About what we Jews and
the others could expect to happen.
He explained the
Nazi regime to me.
He spoke about the opposition
and why they were being arrested.
He took me everywhere with him.
Herr Wiener, please!
There has been so much written
about it, that I ask myself,
if I can really remember,
or only recount what I've read.
What are you doing here?
Jewish pigs!
Get out of here! What gives you the right?
That's none of your business!
Put that back!
You're destroying
my whole business!
I was afraid
and didn't want to see her again.
Michel decided that Elsa and
I should leave the country.
And I was determined
to never enter Germany again.
Elsa didn't want to
leave without Michel.
But he said, he had to stay in order
to sell his publishing company.
Eventually, the two of us left.
Wait, I'll look for the seats.
Max, I'll entrust Elsa to you.
Look after her well.
Please board the train!
Closing all doors!
The train is now ready for
departure. Please board the train!
Closing all doors!
Be careful on entering!
Please board the train!
Michel,
I'll be waiting for you. Come to us soon!
Yes, I'll come.
I'll be waiting for you, Michel!
I was very happy
when we arrived in Paris.
Really happy: Paris, the freedom,
the streets. Fantastic!
And my fear was gone.
No SA, no Nazis,
no burnings and no gun shots.
You can't possibly imagine it.
We lived in a hotel.
Michel had given
us a lot of money.
And I swaggered around
in this massive hotel.
- And walk carefully.
- Yes, I will.
- Good afternoon, Max.
- Good Afternoon.
- Was she very sad?
- Oh yes.
She rarely went out.
We heard no news from Michel.
On Christmas Eve, I had to force
myself to come down for dinner.
She was well-dressed.
And she was beautiful.
Actually very beautiful.
- Elsa, when is Michel…?
- Psst!
To you, Max. To us!
Madame, what can we play for you?
I'd like my son to play.
Max, I want you to play for me.
Play for me.
Do me a favour.
A Christmas present, so to speak.
A Gentleman's gesture.
- Are you French?
- Yes.
And you?
- Are you travelling to Paris?
- Yes.
Would you like a newspaper?
Thanks!
Not bad, is it?
That's not half-bad.
You can't possibly do that!
Deliver it to Elsa Wiener in
Hotel D'Orient in Paris.
I beg you.
Elsa Wiener, Hotel D'Orient
in Paris. Thanks a lot.
Oh, my god!
- Where can I find Madame Wiener?
- Number four.
Hello?
- What are you doing here?
- I'm looking for Madame Wiener.
- Is she here?
- What's up then?
I've come from Berlin
to deliver a message to her.
- Who are you at all?
- Maurice Bujart.
I've just come from
Berlin, young man.
I'll have a look,
but wait outside.
That's the man from Berlin.
Maurice Bujart,
pleased to meet you!
Sit down!
Are you really Madame Wiener?
Yes.
I was requested
to hand this over to you.
Who?
I don't know. He only said:
Madame Wiener, Hotel D'Orient.
So I called here.
Are you really Elsa Wiener?
- Yes.
- Then take it.
- Who did you get the money from?
- From a man on the train.
- What did he look like?
- I don't really know exactly.
Tall, unshaven and
inconspicuously dressed.
And he was wearing a cap.
Michel!
And suddenly he shoved
the money into my bag.
Why you of all people?
He was looking for someone French.
Then he was lead away by civilians,
who never asked to see his papers.
He knew that he would no longer
be able to make it to the border.
Just got back from Italy
and find the lovely Euraly.
Erato leads me there with red
roses. She's my favourite muse,
but only to fond. I know
you don't believe me, mes chéries,
but the muse
in my dreams is Mussolini!
I've just arrived
by plane from Berlin,
and I'm looking for a playmate.
Whether she's blond,
brunette, poor, or rich
to me it's all the same.
She should help me by
bearing children: With a big ass,
so that forever
we will love our divine laps.
Heil!
And now, ladies and gentlemen
exclusive for the first time:
The renowned nightingale
from Vienna, Elsa Wiener!
Bravo! She's no friend of mine.
Bravo! Bravo!
- Can you buy me something?
- No, sorry, I have to go.
- Are you crazy?
- Let me go.
- Do you hear that? They want you.
- But there's no way I can do it.
They paid for four songs.
Now you're going to sing.
Let me be!
Hey, bravo, bravo!
Madame, forgive me please!
- Yes?
- Your singing was really fantastic.
- Is that all?
- This morning you were so sad.
- What do you actually do in Berlin?
- I sell champagne.
It's a good business.
May I invite you for a drink?
- No, thanks.
- It would distract you.
Was the man on the train
a friend of yours?
No, that was Michel, my husband.
They'll let him go if he did
nothing. Everything will be OK.
I work with them.
They're basically nice people.
They are beasts and murderers,
who only fill me with hate.
Whoever works with them, is
a rascal. Leave me alone.
Michel, wherever you may be
I'll always be by your side.
I love you, Michel.
Elsa Wiener took care of
the accused for several months,
brought him up like a mother.
He was deprived of nothing.
He didn't live in the lap of luxury, but
the basic necessities were taken care of.
Would anyone like to comment
on this? The attorney?
Monsieur? No? Alright.
Monsieur Baumstein,
you can now speak.
Dear President, ladies
and gentlemen, members of the jury.
Attorney General.
I'm responsible for my own actions
and have to admit that.
I know that I'm guilty.
I accept full responsibility
for my actions.
Let me first state something.
I have fought against
every form of terrorism.
Because it's dangerous
and changes nothing.
Nevertheless, I shot Ruppert von
Leggaert, a.k.a. Federico Lego,.
I don't wish to justify my action.
I only wish that you
can comprehend it.
Even if it contradicts
what I otherwise said
about the insufficiency of
individual actions.
My deed is a cry out.
An alarm signal.
Regardless of my personal reasons
which lead me to the murder.
If you look around, you'll recognise
that dangerous powers are ruling,
trying to make their race theories
popular amongst the masses,
the same people who submerged the
world into blood and flames in 1933.
I regret that my deed brought the name of
Solidarity International into disrepute.
It was a spontaneous action.
As Leggaert stood before me, I saw
young Max suffering from this old man.
And his torturers!
I'm guilty and not looking for
any excuse for my action.
But I don't wish it on any child
in the world, whatever nationality
or race, to experience
what we had to go through.
- What are you up to?
- Walking. And you?
I came around by chance.
- Is that yours?
- Yes. It's pretty, isn't it?
- A Citroen?
- Yes.
It's one of the best.
- What's your mother up to?
- Madame Elsa is not my mother.
She took me in. My father
worked for her husband.
- After the accident?
- Wasn't an accident, it was the SA.
- Who? - The SA! The Nazis!
- What reason did they have?
Because I'm a Jew.
Have you met Jews before?
No. To be honest: No.
- Do you want a ride?
- I'd love one!
Is Elsa Jewish too?
No, not at all.
- And Michel, her husband?
- He neither.
He was arrested because he
published books against the Nazis.
- You saw him?
- How do you know that?
Madame Elsa told me.
I saw him only very shortly.
- The cinema, Monsieur Bujart?
- Maurice, not Monsieur Bujart!
- Gaumont-Palast?
- Very good, Maurice.
That's better.
Ben und Jean, what about them?
I think, Marcel wants
to invite us.
Forget it. You're going
to hear from me!
Is everyone here? Only the
absentees are missing.
Enough jokes for now. So:
It can't go on like this.
It's the crisis. Everything's
expensive.
The shows, the decorations,
the taxes.
The staff. And the guests
don't want to drink.
- Does he want to close?
- Who knows?
I'm considering the following:
I'm very happy to hear that.
Things are much easier
when you can laugh.
I'll close down or I'll have to let
everyone go, except Jean for the piano.
- Because I'm the best.
- Quiet. Because you're the cheapest.
That's it. Sorry.
If you want to stay, you can. I
could give you turnover commission.
What does that mean?
20 Francs,
if you get the guest to buy a drink.
That's the only possibility,
unfortunately.
Tell me by the end of the week.
At least Marcel is
still a nice guy.
- Others would have been real swine.
- It still doesn't help Elsa very much.
It'll work out. Only the start
won't be easy. But later…
Later we'll all be sick of it!
One moment, thank you!
- Good afternoon.
- Hello, madam.
Good afternoon, madame,
do you have news?
No.
I have some for you.
And they're good ones.
- Twenty thousand.
- Twenty thousand? When?
Now, if you agree.
I'll make a call. I think,
you can get 22 grand for it.
He's rich. He's a trader. He wants
to give his mistress the coat.
No, I want to look at that again.
But not today, Herbert.
20 thousand, that's a lot!
I know, Herbert.
- But I say no.
- You must know that yourself!
Moishe, will you come here?
We're done.
Please state your Name,
age and profession.
Bujart, Maurice. 77,
profession: Champagne-merchant.
And Ruppert von Leggaert?
What was he doing then?
He was a guest in Rajah.
He was a regular there.
Monsieur Bujart,
your testimony is crucial.
You've had no contact with the
accused in the last 40 years.
Why not?
Am I obliged to answer?
That would be desirable.
Once.
It was 1948, I think.
Max had just come from Geneva,
where he had founded an insurance
company. He wasn't in good form.
I had taken over
the champagne selling business,
after the death of my father.
I was then ten years older
when we saw each other again.
Max too.
Yes, and?
The boy that I knew
then was a child.
Now he had grown up.
A man with ideas.
Continue?
- We had contrary opinions.
- A little more specific, please.
The war was over.
With all its horrors.
That's all Max was talking about.
It was like a compulsion.
Non-stop.
When he said he wanted to establish
the Societé International,
he asked me to join.
But I declined.
I disagreed with him.
Neither am I today.
What do you mean...?
Nothing. Everyone has their ideas.
Hence I didn't want to be a witness.
This openness honours you,
Monsieur Bujart.
I would like a to ask
a precise question.
In May of 1934, after you had
taken Max and had met Elsa,
Elsa asked you to go to Berlin,
to make contact with
her husband's lawyer.
Is that right?
- Yes.
- Why did you do that?
With all the risks,
that existed at the time.
I was trying to do her a favor.
She was so alone.
- So sad.
- Out of pity, then?
No. No.
Elsa aroused no pity.
I went to Berlin because...
because I...
Monsieur Bujart.
Were you in love with Elsa Wiener?
Yes.
Yes, I was.
There's nobody up there.
I'd like to
speak to attorney Hellwig.
You know exactly
that he's not here.
I'd like to
speak to attorney Hellwig..
I've come from France.
Stop torturing me.
I can't take anymore.
- Arrest me if you want.
- I don't understand what you mean.
I've been sent by Elsa Wiener.
It's about her husband Michel.
She hasn't heard
any news from him.
I can wait for him.
But tomorrow morning,
I have to return to Paris.
- Who are you talking about?
- The attorney Hellwig.
- Ah.
- Is he here?
Tell him: Maurice Bujart wishes to
speak to him regarding Elsa Wiener.
Here he is!
Talk!
- Say, what you want to say.
- What?
Attorney Hellwig is in the urn.
Go on and speak.
He will listen to you.
I thought you were
one of the Gestapo.
They provoke me
constantly with new methods.
Kurt disappeared two months ago.
I received this urn in the post.
That was three weeks ago.
- That's all.
- Monstrous!
- Who could do that?
- Are you kidding?
I'll tell you,
dear Frenchman: The Nazis!
Who do you think otherwise?
That's absolutely impossible.
Unbelievable! And Michel?
- How is Elsa?
- She's worried and very uneasy.
She won't hear
anything, understand?
Her Michel is lost!
Just as lost as Kurt.
Lost like us all!
- Who is Kurt?
- Kurt?
He was my husband. You understand
nothing, Monsieur Bujart.
You won't see anyone down there.
Everything alright,
Monsieur Bujart.
Everything's normal.
Nothing strange.
He always said, Hitler wouldn't
last more than six months.
He's still here.
Everything looks so clean.
Just look at the streets:
The cleanest in Europe!
No demonstrators, trade
unions, attorneys, opposition.
- Everything's controlled.
- You're pretty crazy.
Of course, they're
trying to drive me crazy.
I get threatened on the street.
They ring my bell and insult me.
And you, sir?
What do you want here?
I'm selling champagne.
Selling champagne…
Everything is normal.
And you're selling champagne.
Go home, Monsieur.
There's no sense in staying here.
What should I tell Elsa?
What should I tell her?
She'll never understand it!
Tell her,
how you came across me.
And about that.
- And you?
- Me?
No, wait.
I haven't spoken
to anybody for so long.
Stay. You would be doing
me a big favour.
Why did you not visit Michel?
I'm happy to repeat it again:
You can't visit anyone!
Do you understand?
You visited Kurt's wife.
She's being watched. She's not going
to last long. She's in a bad way.
Berlin has changed a lot.
Who cares about Berlin!
You were in Berlin
because of Michel.
And you found out nothing about
him. Not the slightest!
It's impossible to find out
anything, Elsa. Everyone's afraid.
Michel was imprisoned by the
Gestapo. You already know that.
I did, what I could.
I don't know,
what else I could do.
You promised me!
- You did absolutely nothing!
- I did, what I could!
You should have visited him
in prison.
In which prison? Do you know where
they put him? No? Me neither.
I found the attorney in an urn.
Should I maybe ask the police?
Pardon, Michel
Wiener, which prison?
No, that's not the way.
It's a lost cause… - Stop it,
Elsa! Don't upset yourself.
Not at all. Quite the opposite.
I'm sorry. It's part of my job.
To get drunk.
To get others drunk.
Order now, otherwise
I'll move on to the next customer.
If Michel dies, I'll die too.
Nonsense, Elsa.
I'm also here for you.
And don't forget Max.
No, I want Michel,
nobody else! I want my Michel!
If you knew him, you would
understand. That's him.
Think about it.
As soon as possible, Frau Wiener.
You can't blackmail me.
I'm ashamed
of you and our country.
I'm in Rajah every evening.
I'll talk to Maurice. Wait for me.
- What did you say to him?
- Nothing in particular.
Go, please.
He doesn't look very happy.
- Five years.
- What?
Michel has been sentenced.
Five years concentration camp.
Oh my god.
- Maurice, do me a favour?
- Yes?
Take Max for a short while.
I need to be alone and think.
If it helps you.
- When?
- Now would be the best time.
I'll explain it to him.
- Will he be angry with me?
- Surely not.
He has a better time with Maurice
than mine with the nanny.
Maurice has got calibre.
- He helps me, that's all.
- That's right.
Profit from it, before it's over.
Don't pull such a face. You
know exactly what I'm thinking.
What should I do?
The poor rats have got no money.
You do what you want anyway.
Stop moaning.
And stop getting drunk.
- Did you get that?
- It's none of your business.
Alright,
let's talk about something else.
Excuse me please.
- I can't do it.
- For god's sake, you're an adult.
- You would do it?
- I don't know.
I was never in love
for a long time.
But with someone like Michel…
Who knows?
Decide: This guy has been
coming here daily.
He'll get fed up sometime.
Waiter, the bill!
Hang on, it's my turn.
Thanks a lot.
I keep thinking about it.
But I just couldn't
bring myself to it.
That's betraying Michel.
If it were only so easy, Maurice
wouldn't be half so into you.
Alright, let's go.
Support our campaign against
Hitler. Come to the demonstration.
Support our campaign against
Hitler. Come to the demonstration.
- Elsa, I'd prefer to go home again.
- Me too.
- Shit.
- Can I say something, Elsa?
Life is a load of shit!
Attorney, if you excuse,
I'd like to remind you of my case.
No news from my Hector, who's been
imprisoned for the last six months,
and accused despite his innocence.
I hope, dear attorney,
than you can win
the case for my Hector.
I'll send you money. I would be
very happy with a visitor's permit.
I remain respectfully yours.
Very nice!
That's two Francs, Julie.
- The last time you only wanted one.
- Business letters are more expensive.
They're harder than love letters.
- You'll bring it to the post office.
- Yes.
- Are you coming tomorrow again?
- Yes.
- Max!
- Elsa?
- What are you doing here?
- Working.
Marcel doesn't know. Normally I'm
here earlier, but Julie had no time.
- You could have at least asked me.
- Maurice knows.
- Are you alright with Maurice?
- It's not the same as with you.
When you greet someone,
you give them a kiss.
Yes.
Comrades, it's high time, we learnt
from the events in Germany and Italy.
When the worker's movement
disunites, fascism profits,
and then crushes the working class
and all it's organisations.
Let's unite our powers for the
release of all victims of fascism,
and at the same time, defeat the
bourgeoisie in our own country.
If we stand united, we can save all
the freedom fighters in Germany...
Speak for Michel.
He's imprisoned in Germany.
He's her husband.
Stand up for him.
Alright, come here.
This is Michel Wiener's wife.
- You are Michel Wiener's wife?
- Yes.
Stefan Werner. I know your husband.
I met him once in Vienna.
What can we do for you?
They took him away overnight.
I see. But not only him.
The best thing would be for you to
tell us yourself about your husband.
- When?
- Now, If you'd like to.
Madame Wiener would like to speak.
Please come, Madame.
What's up? They're are so many people
here. What are you waiting for?
Good afternoon, Madame Wiener.
I'm pleased to welcome the wife of
the Berlin publisher Michel Wiener.
Her husband is one of us.
A few words from Madame Wiener.
Michel, my husband,
was always sincere,
respectable.
He lived for his work,
the publishing of books.
Heine, Goethe, Thomas Mann.
They arrested him
and stuck him in a camp.
Do you know what it's like
to be in a camp like that?
I've been told,
that the men are regularly
maltreated there.
They will kill Michel.
Please do everything, so that my
husband doesn't die. I plead with you!
My dear! Please.
Bravo! Bravo!
The guy on the radio
plays a lot worse than you.
With filling or regular?
What's up, maestro?
- You were in Berlin to see Michel!
- With filling or regular? Which way?
Doesn't matter. You had no right
to visit him without telling me.
Listen, Einstein. Your starting
to get on my nerves.
Tell me, Max, what's going on?
Let me see. My god,
stop acting like that.
It's nothing.
I have seen Elsa.
Oh, that's where
the dog is buried.
So go on?
Damn it! Follow me,
I'll take a look at your finger.
Show me. Does it hurt?
No.
Be careful!
Don't move!
Move your hand a bit higher.
So, there you go!
What's up with Elsa? Fire away!
She doesn't look good.
I'm worried.
She's drinking too much.
- How do you know that?
- I work in Rajah.
- And what do you do there?
- I write letters for the ladies.
You could have asked me before.
You're not my father.
So, what do you want to do?
I don't know.
Not hungry, Maurice?
Are you going out?
My little Prince,
someday I'm going to smack you.
Leave me alone, I'm busy!
Hello, Monsieur!
- Are you looking for Elsa?
- Yes.
She's gone away,
but she'll be back tomorrow.
- Thanks.
- And what should I tell her?
Stupid swine!
Two years, maximum three.
Another three years,
then I'll take over the business.
Champagne Bujart. That's me now.
Maurice Bujart!
When there's a bad harvest,
the business runs by itself.
But if the harvest is good,
it's stored and we wait and see.
And if it's not so good,
the price rises,
and the people drink
it nevertheless.
There's not much happening, Elsa.
The woman who loves me, won't
have to worry about anything.
- So, Elsa, how about it?
- Great.
I had a sleep
and it did me a world of good.
Could you accompany me?
You swine. You swine!
- You swine!
- Maurice, what are doing here?
Why did you do it? Why did you
sleep with that swine?
- Monsieur, you're drunk.
- Shut up, you bastard!
I have a right
to an answer, Elsa!
What right?
Bujart in Germany. Bujart for Max.
And now Elsa is tired.
Bujart, friend and good mate.
Elsa, have you forgotten?
The Nazis are monsters
and murderers.
You went to bed with a monster.
Don't say anything more about it, Elsa?
You're a cheap whore and a murderer!
It had to be done, Maurice.
Michel will be free!
No letters for me? No phone
calls, no letters, nothing?
Oh, there's a telegram. It's
been lying here for three days.
Now you'll have to go.
Michel is free now, just because Elsa
was in bed with Ruppert von Leggaert.
Michel! Michel!
Oh, Michel! My Michel!
- Who informed you?
- The Red Cross.
Michel! Michel!
We have a room, right near here.
Just for us. Come on!
I have to take care
of something first.
- Why immediately?
- I have to meet friends. Comrades.
What kind of comrades?
Michel, you've just been released!
Sure. I'm free,
but not the others.
They're all still there.
I've got a lot to report
to the newspapers.
So that the whole world knows…
Is it much further?
No. I know my way around here.
- Michel!
- Yes?
Was it really bad?
You must be fluent
in French now, are you?
It was just like you said.
When they came to get me,
I thought to myself:
You're going to be shot!
And now I'm here!
And what's Max doing?
You'll hardly recognise him.
He's big now.
You'll see for yourself.
- You kept him?
- Yes.
I said to myself: If I keep him,
Michel will come back.
And now you see: I'm here!
A true miracle!
Michel. Michel!
I thought about you constantly.
To survive, I spoke to you.
I made you
laugh, and you laughed.
Finally, we're together again.
What did you do?
Who managed to get me released?
Who?
It was me, Michel. Who else?
Michel!
Bailiff, please send in
the next witnesses.
Madame Mopart!
Please speak into
the microphone, Madame.
Please state your
name, age, profession and address.
Mopart, Charlotte. 77. Retired.
I live in Paris in
the 18th district.
Did you know
the accused before the act?
Are you related
to him in any form?
No.
Do you swear to tell the whole
truth and nothing but the truth?
Yes.
Raise your right hand
and say: I swear!
I swear!
Madame Mopart, what befell you
after the death of the Wieners?
The situation was
extremely difficult.
For Max, it was as if he'd lost
his parents for the second time.
He often went to the cemetery.
Then we spoke to each other.
Maurice and I.
He decided to take the boy
to some friends in Switzerland.
He was a great chap,
good old Monsieur Bujart.
That has to be said.
Madame, are you finished?
Just a moment,
please, dear President.
I'd like Madame Mopart to tell us
what caused her,
to busy herself again
with Michel and Elsa Wiener.
After my release
from the camp in 1945…
- Camp?
- Yes, I was arrested in '43.
You know,
after I returned from the camp
I wanted to lay
flowers at the grave.
Elsa was my friend.
But I found no grave.
Nazi-collaborators put both
of them in one grave.
I wanted to do something, so that
they were not simply forgotten.
I organised a collection.
For a memorial plaque
at Café Sans Souci.
But that also met with opposition.
German resistance fighters!
But what's that supposed to mean?
They were the first ones
to challenge Hitler.
Objection! That has nothing
to do with the case.
I'd like to point out that this witness,
who's so concerned with morals,
was a smuggler
in Pigalle for 20 years.
What has that got
to do with anything?
- May I go now?
- Yes, Madame.
Normally those swine
die well looked after in bed.
At least we got one of them.
One bastard less.
That's worth living to see.
Bravo, Max!
Lina, five years with probation.
That was for your Jews, you slut.
He won't enter paradise.
That can't be true!
Do I get an answer, or not?
Of course, pure coincidence,
that I look like Elsa.
Paris is still a wonderful city.
If I were a jury member,
you'd have gotten no probation.
What kind of a person was she?
Who?
Elsa!
She was like you, a nag.
Why did you never mention her?
Why should I?
You would have asked
the same things.
When I met you,
I couldn't believe my eyes.
Please, the trial is over.
- You've hardly any hair left.
- Well.
That comes with time.
6 months later, Lina und Max Baumstein
were shot in front of their house.
The rest is alright.
Nobody admitted responsibility
for the murders.
The perpetrators
were never detected.
Let's go! Waiter, please.
- Are you paying?
- Yes.
- 46,80, please.
- Keep the change.
Thanks!
Monsieur, excuse me please,
- are you Max Baumstein?
- Yes, why?
I just wanted to shake your hand.
Come on!
I love you!
I love you like an old fool.
I'm crazy in love with you.
Subtitles: Neil Hennessy
GALILEO MEDIEN AG / Berlin
Max!
- Thank god.
- Why are you in such a hurry?
- I don't know.
- Did you not see me? No.
It can happen with all the hustle
and bustle here in Paris.
When did we…?
Good afternoon!
- When did you arrive?
- Can you wait in the hotel?
- I've got to discuss something with you.
- I haven't really got much time.
- Maybe on the way to the press conference.
- Sure.
This year we've
decided to restrict
the activities of Solidarity Inter-
national to 3 main objectives.
The 1st focal point is the
release of all arrested workers,
who were arrested because their opinions
were contrary to those in power.
Secondly we emphasize that Irish
republicans in imprisonment in Britain,
should receive the
status of political prisoners.
Thirdly, we wish to make it part
of our campaign,
that prisoners, who suffer torture
in Latin America,
are released,
especially in Chile und Bolivia.
Bravo!
These 3 main issues constitute
the will of our movement.
To protect human rights, there
where they are normally spurned.
I hope that you will appreciate our
efforts in your article accordingly.
And the situation in South Africa?
Our movement has had success
there, despite reprisals…
and the torture, which is
customary in such countries.
If the nations involved cannot
solve the apartheid problem alone,
then all Africa
will start to waver.
Should the
French government intervene?
We don't give advice, Soli-
darity International states facts.
The government has
to judge for itself.
It's rumoured that they wish to
lay down their mandate.
More important, is the Solidarity
International, not the president.
They can rumour, Mademoiselle.
How do you reconcile your function
with Solidarity International
with that as holder of
a Swiss insurance company.
Don't answer.
It's only provocation.
Oh, it's you. It seems to aggrieve
you when money acts for freedom.
I've accumulated a fortune. It gives
me neither fame nor disgrace.
Will you travel to Teheran to obtain
the release of trade unionists?
Can you answer, please?
Our President is always there,
where help is needed,
be it in Teheran or Washington.
Max Baumstein will protest to the
ambassador from Paraguay tomorrow
against the arrest of the young
English woman Betty Healy.
She was arrested and tortured
by the men in power.
- Max?
- Yes?
I miss the house.
Me even more. I've been dreaming
about dinner in Geneva for 2 weeks.
- Just the two of us?
- Yes, and quiet.
Spaghetti with a lot of butter.
Yes? In half an hour.
I reserved a table in the hotel.
Yes, me too. See you later.
Mr. President…
The solicitor is about to arrive,
Charles and the lovely Annie.
Then I suppose I'll get out.
Are you crazy?
I'm a friend of Solidarity and have
something for Mister Baumstein.
Thank you, I'll give it to him.
- What is it?
- An envelope for you.
Open it!
- They're probably documents for tomorrow.
- Show me!
Which one?
I brought you something
from New York.
And what is it?
What is it?
What is it then?
What is it then?
You're insane.
Max Baumstein is insane.
Thanks, Max!
That's great.
Look!
Where?
Max!
You shouldn't get
yourself worked up!
- What's up with you?
- Nothing!
Did I annoy you?
I have to go!
You're hardly there before you
leave me again.
Oh please.
- OK, then I'll go with you.
- No.
- Don't be so stubborn.
- Do you think you're not?
Goodbye, Raimond.
Excuse me,
did this used to be a Cabaret?
- When?
- Before the war.
- No idea.
- Goodbye, Mac.
The exile song, please.
Are you denying that Betty Healy
was arrested by the secret police.
She was never in our country, that
means she could never be arrested.
I think
I've expressed myself clearly.
You are obstructing the course of
justice. Set Betty Healy free!
So there's nothing
you can do with the matter?
My government has proved
that it is of the best will.
The affair, which has been highlighted
by the enemies of our country,
is aimed at harming our President.
So there's no hope?
Unfortunately not. I'm sorry for
this young person… and for you.
Yes.
Mr. Ambassador,
it appears to me, that in 1933
you were an employee
of the Germany Embassy in Paris.
That's right.
What's that got to
do with anything?
If my memory serves me right,
you were then
called Ruppert von Leggaert.
Yes, that's right.
Do you recall
a woman named Elsa?
Elsa Wiener?
Elsa Wiener?
Wiener… - Elsa and Michel Wiener,
Herr Ruppert von Leggaert.
Yes, I remember… vaguely.
Monsieur le President: Why?
It's all such a long time ago.
Charles, my briefcase, please!
I'd like to show you something.
Max!
I've just killed the ambassador
from Paraguay.
You shot the ambassador!
They're still looking for a reason
for the murder of the ambassador.
Only yesterday, Max Baumstein
gave a press conference
to explain the aims of
his movement's new programme.
Baumstein is founder and President
of Solidarity International.
Paris. Today the government
passed three new bills.
Two of them concern
industry and trade.
The third has to do with
Spain's new NATO membership.
The Minister for economics
submitted a plan for the expansion
of research and development
of micro electronics.
It's me, Guefroy.
You can visit him!
- Just one picture!
- Let us go!
No pictures, please be reasonable!
Please, not here!
You've got half an hour.
I'll wait outside.
Have you got a cigarette?
Did they not leave
you with your stick?
They took everything from me.
But in a very polite way.
How are you allowed to visit me?
It's all thanks to Guefroy.
He really looks after you.
- Max?
- Yes?
- I'll always stand by you.
- I know.
- There's nothing to ask.
- I'm not asking anything, I'm just here.
It's as if I met an old phantom.
Who?
Federico Lego.
You knew him?
Then known as
Ruppert von Leggaert.
Give me another cigarette.
Max! Calm down, Max!
We've got plenty of time to talk.
Soon I can visit you every day.
But how should I talk?
Where should I start?
It's a really long story.
- Max, we have time.
- No.
We have no time.
That was all 50 years ago.
It's up to you.
I want you to know about it.
I was young then.
I was 2 years old.
It all started in
March 1933 in Berlin.
Then he spoke about
the third register.
You haven't even done
the exercise for the second one.
Oh well,
the third register is easier.
Dirty Jew!
Daddy!
- Father!
- No! No.
That's a child!
Look at him!
The same will happen to you,
you dirty Jew.
No! No!
Where did that come from?
You used to say,
you had the defect since birth.
Is it not all the same?
The woman. Who was she?
They were friends of my parents. He
was a publisher and she a singer.
So pretty. You were very alike.
She saved my life.
And what was her name?
Elsa. Elsa Wiener.
Yes, Elsa and Michel Wiener.
Up there.
Come on!
They looked after me.
She helped me to
learn to walk again.
Come on!
I became part of her life.
I had only her.
Hey, are you alright?
- Tiring.
- Come on, you can manage it.
And Michel. Michel Wiener.
An incredible human being!
He was an idealist
and advocate of good books.
He spoke very seriously to me.
About what we Jews and
the others could expect to happen.
He explained the
Nazi regime to me.
He spoke about the opposition
and why they were being arrested.
He took me everywhere with him.
Herr Wiener, please!
There has been so much written
about it, that I ask myself,
if I can really remember,
or only recount what I've read.
What are you doing here?
Jewish pigs!
Get out of here! What gives you the right?
That's none of your business!
Put that back!
You're destroying
my whole business!
I was afraid
and didn't want to see her again.
Michel decided that Elsa and
I should leave the country.
And I was determined
to never enter Germany again.
Elsa didn't want to
leave without Michel.
But he said, he had to stay in order
to sell his publishing company.
Eventually, the two of us left.
Wait, I'll look for the seats.
Max, I'll entrust Elsa to you.
Look after her well.
Please board the train!
Closing all doors!
The train is now ready for
departure. Please board the train!
Closing all doors!
Be careful on entering!
Please board the train!
Michel,
I'll be waiting for you. Come to us soon!
Yes, I'll come.
I'll be waiting for you, Michel!
I was very happy
when we arrived in Paris.
Really happy: Paris, the freedom,
the streets. Fantastic!
And my fear was gone.
No SA, no Nazis,
no burnings and no gun shots.
You can't possibly imagine it.
We lived in a hotel.
Michel had given
us a lot of money.
And I swaggered around
in this massive hotel.
- And walk carefully.
- Yes, I will.
- Good afternoon, Max.
- Good Afternoon.
- Was she very sad?
- Oh yes.
She rarely went out.
We heard no news from Michel.
On Christmas Eve, I had to force
myself to come down for dinner.
She was well-dressed.
And she was beautiful.
Actually very beautiful.
- Elsa, when is Michel…?
- Psst!
To you, Max. To us!
Madame, what can we play for you?
I'd like my son to play.
Max, I want you to play for me.
Play for me.
Do me a favour.
A Christmas present, so to speak.
A Gentleman's gesture.
- Are you French?
- Yes.
And you?
- Are you travelling to Paris?
- Yes.
Would you like a newspaper?
Thanks!
Not bad, is it?
That's not half-bad.
You can't possibly do that!
Deliver it to Elsa Wiener in
Hotel D'Orient in Paris.
I beg you.
Elsa Wiener, Hotel D'Orient
in Paris. Thanks a lot.
Oh, my god!
- Where can I find Madame Wiener?
- Number four.
Hello?
- What are you doing here?
- I'm looking for Madame Wiener.
- Is she here?
- What's up then?
I've come from Berlin
to deliver a message to her.
- Who are you at all?
- Maurice Bujart.
I've just come from
Berlin, young man.
I'll have a look,
but wait outside.
That's the man from Berlin.
Maurice Bujart,
pleased to meet you!
Sit down!
Are you really Madame Wiener?
Yes.
I was requested
to hand this over to you.
Who?
I don't know. He only said:
Madame Wiener, Hotel D'Orient.
So I called here.
Are you really Elsa Wiener?
- Yes.
- Then take it.
- Who did you get the money from?
- From a man on the train.
- What did he look like?
- I don't really know exactly.
Tall, unshaven and
inconspicuously dressed.
And he was wearing a cap.
Michel!
And suddenly he shoved
the money into my bag.
Why you of all people?
He was looking for someone French.
Then he was lead away by civilians,
who never asked to see his papers.
He knew that he would no longer
be able to make it to the border.
Just got back from Italy
and find the lovely Euraly.
Erato leads me there with red
roses. She's my favourite muse,
but only to fond. I know
you don't believe me, mes chéries,
but the muse
in my dreams is Mussolini!
I've just arrived
by plane from Berlin,
and I'm looking for a playmate.
Whether she's blond,
brunette, poor, or rich
to me it's all the same.
She should help me by
bearing children: With a big ass,
so that forever
we will love our divine laps.
Heil!
And now, ladies and gentlemen
exclusive for the first time:
The renowned nightingale
from Vienna, Elsa Wiener!
Bravo! She's no friend of mine.
Bravo! Bravo!
- Can you buy me something?
- No, sorry, I have to go.
- Are you crazy?
- Let me go.
- Do you hear that? They want you.
- But there's no way I can do it.
They paid for four songs.
Now you're going to sing.
Let me be!
Hey, bravo, bravo!
Madame, forgive me please!
- Yes?
- Your singing was really fantastic.
- Is that all?
- This morning you were so sad.
- What do you actually do in Berlin?
- I sell champagne.
It's a good business.
May I invite you for a drink?
- No, thanks.
- It would distract you.
Was the man on the train
a friend of yours?
No, that was Michel, my husband.
They'll let him go if he did
nothing. Everything will be OK.
I work with them.
They're basically nice people.
They are beasts and murderers,
who only fill me with hate.
Whoever works with them, is
a rascal. Leave me alone.
Michel, wherever you may be
I'll always be by your side.
I love you, Michel.
Elsa Wiener took care of
the accused for several months,
brought him up like a mother.
He was deprived of nothing.
He didn't live in the lap of luxury, but
the basic necessities were taken care of.
Would anyone like to comment
on this? The attorney?
Monsieur? No? Alright.
Monsieur Baumstein,
you can now speak.
Dear President, ladies
and gentlemen, members of the jury.
Attorney General.
I'm responsible for my own actions
and have to admit that.
I know that I'm guilty.
I accept full responsibility
for my actions.
Let me first state something.
I have fought against
every form of terrorism.
Because it's dangerous
and changes nothing.
Nevertheless, I shot Ruppert von
Leggaert, a.k.a. Federico Lego,.
I don't wish to justify my action.
I only wish that you
can comprehend it.
Even if it contradicts
what I otherwise said
about the insufficiency of
individual actions.
My deed is a cry out.
An alarm signal.
Regardless of my personal reasons
which lead me to the murder.
If you look around, you'll recognise
that dangerous powers are ruling,
trying to make their race theories
popular amongst the masses,
the same people who submerged the
world into blood and flames in 1933.
I regret that my deed brought the name of
Solidarity International into disrepute.
It was a spontaneous action.
As Leggaert stood before me, I saw
young Max suffering from this old man.
And his torturers!
I'm guilty and not looking for
any excuse for my action.
But I don't wish it on any child
in the world, whatever nationality
or race, to experience
what we had to go through.
- What are you up to?
- Walking. And you?
I came around by chance.
- Is that yours?
- Yes. It's pretty, isn't it?
- A Citroen?
- Yes.
It's one of the best.
- What's your mother up to?
- Madame Elsa is not my mother.
She took me in. My father
worked for her husband.
- After the accident?
- Wasn't an accident, it was the SA.
- Who? - The SA! The Nazis!
- What reason did they have?
Because I'm a Jew.
Have you met Jews before?
No. To be honest: No.
- Do you want a ride?
- I'd love one!
Is Elsa Jewish too?
No, not at all.
- And Michel, her husband?
- He neither.
He was arrested because he
published books against the Nazis.
- You saw him?
- How do you know that?
Madame Elsa told me.
I saw him only very shortly.
- The cinema, Monsieur Bujart?
- Maurice, not Monsieur Bujart!
- Gaumont-Palast?
- Very good, Maurice.
That's better.
Ben und Jean, what about them?
I think, Marcel wants
to invite us.
Forget it. You're going
to hear from me!
Is everyone here? Only the
absentees are missing.
Enough jokes for now. So:
It can't go on like this.
It's the crisis. Everything's
expensive.
The shows, the decorations,
the taxes.
The staff. And the guests
don't want to drink.
- Does he want to close?
- Who knows?
I'm considering the following:
I'm very happy to hear that.
Things are much easier
when you can laugh.
I'll close down or I'll have to let
everyone go, except Jean for the piano.
- Because I'm the best.
- Quiet. Because you're the cheapest.
That's it. Sorry.
If you want to stay, you can. I
could give you turnover commission.
What does that mean?
20 Francs,
if you get the guest to buy a drink.
That's the only possibility,
unfortunately.
Tell me by the end of the week.
At least Marcel is
still a nice guy.
- Others would have been real swine.
- It still doesn't help Elsa very much.
It'll work out. Only the start
won't be easy. But later…
Later we'll all be sick of it!
One moment, thank you!
- Good afternoon.
- Hello, madam.
Good afternoon, madame,
do you have news?
No.
I have some for you.
And they're good ones.
- Twenty thousand.
- Twenty thousand? When?
Now, if you agree.
I'll make a call. I think,
you can get 22 grand for it.
He's rich. He's a trader. He wants
to give his mistress the coat.
No, I want to look at that again.
But not today, Herbert.
20 thousand, that's a lot!
I know, Herbert.
- But I say no.
- You must know that yourself!
Moishe, will you come here?
We're done.
Please state your Name,
age and profession.
Bujart, Maurice. 77,
profession: Champagne-merchant.
And Ruppert von Leggaert?
What was he doing then?
He was a guest in Rajah.
He was a regular there.
Monsieur Bujart,
your testimony is crucial.
You've had no contact with the
accused in the last 40 years.
Why not?
Am I obliged to answer?
That would be desirable.
Once.
It was 1948, I think.
Max had just come from Geneva,
where he had founded an insurance
company. He wasn't in good form.
I had taken over
the champagne selling business,
after the death of my father.
I was then ten years older
when we saw each other again.
Max too.
Yes, and?
The boy that I knew
then was a child.
Now he had grown up.
A man with ideas.
Continue?
- We had contrary opinions.
- A little more specific, please.
The war was over.
With all its horrors.
That's all Max was talking about.
It was like a compulsion.
Non-stop.
When he said he wanted to establish
the Societé International,
he asked me to join.
But I declined.
I disagreed with him.
Neither am I today.
What do you mean...?
Nothing. Everyone has their ideas.
Hence I didn't want to be a witness.
This openness honours you,
Monsieur Bujart.
I would like a to ask
a precise question.
In May of 1934, after you had
taken Max and had met Elsa,
Elsa asked you to go to Berlin,
to make contact with
her husband's lawyer.
Is that right?
- Yes.
- Why did you do that?
With all the risks,
that existed at the time.
I was trying to do her a favor.
She was so alone.
- So sad.
- Out of pity, then?
No. No.
Elsa aroused no pity.
I went to Berlin because...
because I...
Monsieur Bujart.
Were you in love with Elsa Wiener?
Yes.
Yes, I was.
There's nobody up there.
I'd like to
speak to attorney Hellwig.
You know exactly
that he's not here.
I'd like to
speak to attorney Hellwig..
I've come from France.
Stop torturing me.
I can't take anymore.
- Arrest me if you want.
- I don't understand what you mean.
I've been sent by Elsa Wiener.
It's about her husband Michel.
She hasn't heard
any news from him.
I can wait for him.
But tomorrow morning,
I have to return to Paris.
- Who are you talking about?
- The attorney Hellwig.
- Ah.
- Is he here?
Tell him: Maurice Bujart wishes to
speak to him regarding Elsa Wiener.
Here he is!
Talk!
- Say, what you want to say.
- What?
Attorney Hellwig is in the urn.
Go on and speak.
He will listen to you.
I thought you were
one of the Gestapo.
They provoke me
constantly with new methods.
Kurt disappeared two months ago.
I received this urn in the post.
That was three weeks ago.
- That's all.
- Monstrous!
- Who could do that?
- Are you kidding?
I'll tell you,
dear Frenchman: The Nazis!
Who do you think otherwise?
That's absolutely impossible.
Unbelievable! And Michel?
- How is Elsa?
- She's worried and very uneasy.
She won't hear
anything, understand?
Her Michel is lost!
Just as lost as Kurt.
Lost like us all!
- Who is Kurt?
- Kurt?
He was my husband. You understand
nothing, Monsieur Bujart.
You won't see anyone down there.
Everything alright,
Monsieur Bujart.
Everything's normal.
Nothing strange.
He always said, Hitler wouldn't
last more than six months.
He's still here.
Everything looks so clean.
Just look at the streets:
The cleanest in Europe!
No demonstrators, trade
unions, attorneys, opposition.
- Everything's controlled.
- You're pretty crazy.
Of course, they're
trying to drive me crazy.
I get threatened on the street.
They ring my bell and insult me.
And you, sir?
What do you want here?
I'm selling champagne.
Selling champagne…
Everything is normal.
And you're selling champagne.
Go home, Monsieur.
There's no sense in staying here.
What should I tell Elsa?
What should I tell her?
She'll never understand it!
Tell her,
how you came across me.
And about that.
- And you?
- Me?
No, wait.
I haven't spoken
to anybody for so long.
Stay. You would be doing
me a big favour.
Why did you not visit Michel?
I'm happy to repeat it again:
You can't visit anyone!
Do you understand?
You visited Kurt's wife.
She's being watched. She's not going
to last long. She's in a bad way.
Berlin has changed a lot.
Who cares about Berlin!
You were in Berlin
because of Michel.
And you found out nothing about
him. Not the slightest!
It's impossible to find out
anything, Elsa. Everyone's afraid.
Michel was imprisoned by the
Gestapo. You already know that.
I did, what I could.
I don't know,
what else I could do.
You promised me!
- You did absolutely nothing!
- I did, what I could!
You should have visited him
in prison.
In which prison? Do you know where
they put him? No? Me neither.
I found the attorney in an urn.
Should I maybe ask the police?
Pardon, Michel
Wiener, which prison?
No, that's not the way.
It's a lost cause… - Stop it,
Elsa! Don't upset yourself.
Not at all. Quite the opposite.
I'm sorry. It's part of my job.
To get drunk.
To get others drunk.
Order now, otherwise
I'll move on to the next customer.
If Michel dies, I'll die too.
Nonsense, Elsa.
I'm also here for you.
And don't forget Max.
No, I want Michel,
nobody else! I want my Michel!
If you knew him, you would
understand. That's him.
Think about it.
As soon as possible, Frau Wiener.
You can't blackmail me.
I'm ashamed
of you and our country.
I'm in Rajah every evening.
I'll talk to Maurice. Wait for me.
- What did you say to him?
- Nothing in particular.
Go, please.
He doesn't look very happy.
- Five years.
- What?
Michel has been sentenced.
Five years concentration camp.
Oh my god.
- Maurice, do me a favour?
- Yes?
Take Max for a short while.
I need to be alone and think.
If it helps you.
- When?
- Now would be the best time.
I'll explain it to him.
- Will he be angry with me?
- Surely not.
He has a better time with Maurice
than mine with the nanny.
Maurice has got calibre.
- He helps me, that's all.
- That's right.
Profit from it, before it's over.
Don't pull such a face. You
know exactly what I'm thinking.
What should I do?
The poor rats have got no money.
You do what you want anyway.
Stop moaning.
And stop getting drunk.
- Did you get that?
- It's none of your business.
Alright,
let's talk about something else.
Excuse me please.
- I can't do it.
- For god's sake, you're an adult.
- You would do it?
- I don't know.
I was never in love
for a long time.
But with someone like Michel…
Who knows?
Decide: This guy has been
coming here daily.
He'll get fed up sometime.
Waiter, the bill!
Hang on, it's my turn.
Thanks a lot.
I keep thinking about it.
But I just couldn't
bring myself to it.
That's betraying Michel.
If it were only so easy, Maurice
wouldn't be half so into you.
Alright, let's go.
Support our campaign against
Hitler. Come to the demonstration.
Support our campaign against
Hitler. Come to the demonstration.
- Elsa, I'd prefer to go home again.
- Me too.
- Shit.
- Can I say something, Elsa?
Life is a load of shit!
Attorney, if you excuse,
I'd like to remind you of my case.
No news from my Hector, who's been
imprisoned for the last six months,
and accused despite his innocence.
I hope, dear attorney,
than you can win
the case for my Hector.
I'll send you money. I would be
very happy with a visitor's permit.
I remain respectfully yours.
Very nice!
That's two Francs, Julie.
- The last time you only wanted one.
- Business letters are more expensive.
They're harder than love letters.
- You'll bring it to the post office.
- Yes.
- Are you coming tomorrow again?
- Yes.
- Max!
- Elsa?
- What are you doing here?
- Working.
Marcel doesn't know. Normally I'm
here earlier, but Julie had no time.
- You could have at least asked me.
- Maurice knows.
- Are you alright with Maurice?
- It's not the same as with you.
When you greet someone,
you give them a kiss.
Yes.
Comrades, it's high time, we learnt
from the events in Germany and Italy.
When the worker's movement
disunites, fascism profits,
and then crushes the working class
and all it's organisations.
Let's unite our powers for the
release of all victims of fascism,
and at the same time, defeat the
bourgeoisie in our own country.
If we stand united, we can save all
the freedom fighters in Germany...
Speak for Michel.
He's imprisoned in Germany.
He's her husband.
Stand up for him.
Alright, come here.
This is Michel Wiener's wife.
- You are Michel Wiener's wife?
- Yes.
Stefan Werner. I know your husband.
I met him once in Vienna.
What can we do for you?
They took him away overnight.
I see. But not only him.
The best thing would be for you to
tell us yourself about your husband.
- When?
- Now, If you'd like to.
Madame Wiener would like to speak.
Please come, Madame.
What's up? They're are so many people
here. What are you waiting for?
Good afternoon, Madame Wiener.
I'm pleased to welcome the wife of
the Berlin publisher Michel Wiener.
Her husband is one of us.
A few words from Madame Wiener.
Michel, my husband,
was always sincere,
respectable.
He lived for his work,
the publishing of books.
Heine, Goethe, Thomas Mann.
They arrested him
and stuck him in a camp.
Do you know what it's like
to be in a camp like that?
I've been told,
that the men are regularly
maltreated there.
They will kill Michel.
Please do everything, so that my
husband doesn't die. I plead with you!
My dear! Please.
Bravo! Bravo!
The guy on the radio
plays a lot worse than you.
With filling or regular?
What's up, maestro?
- You were in Berlin to see Michel!
- With filling or regular? Which way?
Doesn't matter. You had no right
to visit him without telling me.
Listen, Einstein. Your starting
to get on my nerves.
Tell me, Max, what's going on?
Let me see. My god,
stop acting like that.
It's nothing.
I have seen Elsa.
Oh, that's where
the dog is buried.
So go on?
Damn it! Follow me,
I'll take a look at your finger.
Show me. Does it hurt?
No.
Be careful!
Don't move!
Move your hand a bit higher.
So, there you go!
What's up with Elsa? Fire away!
She doesn't look good.
I'm worried.
She's drinking too much.
- How do you know that?
- I work in Rajah.
- And what do you do there?
- I write letters for the ladies.
You could have asked me before.
You're not my father.
So, what do you want to do?
I don't know.
Not hungry, Maurice?
Are you going out?
My little Prince,
someday I'm going to smack you.
Leave me alone, I'm busy!
Hello, Monsieur!
- Are you looking for Elsa?
- Yes.
She's gone away,
but she'll be back tomorrow.
- Thanks.
- And what should I tell her?
Stupid swine!
Two years, maximum three.
Another three years,
then I'll take over the business.
Champagne Bujart. That's me now.
Maurice Bujart!
When there's a bad harvest,
the business runs by itself.
But if the harvest is good,
it's stored and we wait and see.
And if it's not so good,
the price rises,
and the people drink
it nevertheless.
There's not much happening, Elsa.
The woman who loves me, won't
have to worry about anything.
- So, Elsa, how about it?
- Great.
I had a sleep
and it did me a world of good.
Could you accompany me?
You swine. You swine!
- You swine!
- Maurice, what are doing here?
Why did you do it? Why did you
sleep with that swine?
- Monsieur, you're drunk.
- Shut up, you bastard!
I have a right
to an answer, Elsa!
What right?
Bujart in Germany. Bujart for Max.
And now Elsa is tired.
Bujart, friend and good mate.
Elsa, have you forgotten?
The Nazis are monsters
and murderers.
You went to bed with a monster.
Don't say anything more about it, Elsa?
You're a cheap whore and a murderer!
It had to be done, Maurice.
Michel will be free!
No letters for me? No phone
calls, no letters, nothing?
Oh, there's a telegram. It's
been lying here for three days.
Now you'll have to go.
Michel is free now, just because Elsa
was in bed with Ruppert von Leggaert.
Michel! Michel!
Oh, Michel! My Michel!
- Who informed you?
- The Red Cross.
Michel! Michel!
We have a room, right near here.
Just for us. Come on!
I have to take care
of something first.
- Why immediately?
- I have to meet friends. Comrades.
What kind of comrades?
Michel, you've just been released!
Sure. I'm free,
but not the others.
They're all still there.
I've got a lot to report
to the newspapers.
So that the whole world knows…
Is it much further?
No. I know my way around here.
- Michel!
- Yes?
Was it really bad?
You must be fluent
in French now, are you?
It was just like you said.
When they came to get me,
I thought to myself:
You're going to be shot!
And now I'm here!
And what's Max doing?
You'll hardly recognise him.
He's big now.
You'll see for yourself.
- You kept him?
- Yes.
I said to myself: If I keep him,
Michel will come back.
And now you see: I'm here!
A true miracle!
Michel. Michel!
I thought about you constantly.
To survive, I spoke to you.
I made you
laugh, and you laughed.
Finally, we're together again.
What did you do?
Who managed to get me released?
Who?
It was me, Michel. Who else?
Michel!
Bailiff, please send in
the next witnesses.
Madame Mopart!
Please speak into
the microphone, Madame.
Please state your
name, age, profession and address.
Mopart, Charlotte. 77. Retired.
I live in Paris in
the 18th district.
Did you know
the accused before the act?
Are you related
to him in any form?
No.
Do you swear to tell the whole
truth and nothing but the truth?
Yes.
Raise your right hand
and say: I swear!
I swear!
Madame Mopart, what befell you
after the death of the Wieners?
The situation was
extremely difficult.
For Max, it was as if he'd lost
his parents for the second time.
He often went to the cemetery.
Then we spoke to each other.
Maurice and I.
He decided to take the boy
to some friends in Switzerland.
He was a great chap,
good old Monsieur Bujart.
That has to be said.
Madame, are you finished?
Just a moment,
please, dear President.
I'd like Madame Mopart to tell us
what caused her,
to busy herself again
with Michel and Elsa Wiener.
After my release
from the camp in 1945…
- Camp?
- Yes, I was arrested in '43.
You know,
after I returned from the camp
I wanted to lay
flowers at the grave.
Elsa was my friend.
But I found no grave.
Nazi-collaborators put both
of them in one grave.
I wanted to do something, so that
they were not simply forgotten.
I organised a collection.
For a memorial plaque
at Café Sans Souci.
But that also met with opposition.
German resistance fighters!
But what's that supposed to mean?
They were the first ones
to challenge Hitler.
Objection! That has nothing
to do with the case.
I'd like to point out that this witness,
who's so concerned with morals,
was a smuggler
in Pigalle for 20 years.
What has that got
to do with anything?
- May I go now?
- Yes, Madame.
Normally those swine
die well looked after in bed.
At least we got one of them.
One bastard less.
That's worth living to see.
Bravo, Max!
Lina, five years with probation.
That was for your Jews, you slut.
He won't enter paradise.
That can't be true!
Do I get an answer, or not?
Of course, pure coincidence,
that I look like Elsa.
Paris is still a wonderful city.
If I were a jury member,
you'd have gotten no probation.
What kind of a person was she?
Who?
Elsa!
She was like you, a nag.
Why did you never mention her?
Why should I?
You would have asked
the same things.
When I met you,
I couldn't believe my eyes.
Please, the trial is over.
- You've hardly any hair left.
- Well.
That comes with time.
6 months later, Lina und Max Baumstein
were shot in front of their house.
The rest is alright.
Nobody admitted responsibility
for the murders.
The perpetrators
were never detected.
Let's go! Waiter, please.
- Are you paying?
- Yes.
- 46,80, please.
- Keep the change.
Thanks!
Monsieur, excuse me please,
- are you Max Baumstein?
- Yes, why?
I just wanted to shake your hand.
Come on!
I love you!
I love you like an old fool.
I'm crazy in love with you.
Subtitles: Neil Hennessy
GALILEO MEDIEN AG / Berlin