The Tower (2012) - full transcript
A look at Communist East Germany in its final decade. The story unfolds in 1982, when the cracks in the repressive police state's facade are beginning to surface. Despite the restrictions, the educated few still enjoy some advantages under the system. The Hoffmans gather often with family and friends for warm dinner parties rich with derisive political banter, live classical music, and spirited discussions, holding out for a better future. But even as Richard has high hopes and strict demands for studious Christian, he hides a passionate double life and shocking secrets that come back to haunt him. Against this tense climate of fear and mistrust, with the secret police lurking ominously in the background, choices are made and actions taken that have devastating repercussions.
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There you are at last.
- Is the family complete?
- 100 percent.
- What about Math?
- Leave him alone. It's Christmas.
He's giving up.
- What's wrong?
- Trouble at the clinic.
- Is it another woman?
- No, what makes you say that?
Stay. We're your family too
- Hello, little angel.
- Daddy!
- You said you'd get a divorce.
- I can't.
If you go, I'll kill myself.
- Cant a colleague declare him unfit?
- The army won't kill him.
I'll wait. Three years is a long time,
but you can write, okay?
Mrs. Fischer was bought in
She tried to kill herself.
Come on, Lucie.
I want to stay home.
We'll visit Mommy
at the hospital, ok?
She'll be so glad to see you.
THE TOWER
Part 2
Abraham, Burre, Hoffmann,
Irrgang, Krause,
Kretzschmar,
Rother, and Senger,
Barrack Room 1.
Fall out.
Today, if you please.
Make it snappy, Comrade.
- Hello, I'm Jan Burre.
- Hoffmann, Christian.
- Kretzschmar.
- Shut your big mouth back there.
Training Platoon,
turn out!
- Heels.
- I hate it already.
Quiet!
If you want to gab,
it's, "Comrade Sergeant,
permission to speak?"
Today's exercise
donning the various uniforms
within the allotted times.
Training Platoon
Field Duty Uniform Two.
Two minutes and thirty seconds.
Shut your big mouth.
Don't sling it all into your locker.
It's a mess.
One minute.
Hey, watch out!
- Thanks. I'm Jan, by the way.
- Shut your big mouth.
I didn't say anything.
And you're not supposed to.
- How serious was she?
- Deadly serious. Pills and gas.
Fifteen minutes later,
she would have been gone.
- Put down food poisoning.
- The whole house could have exploded.
Not everyone needs to know.
Why would I do that?
- She's a colleague.
- And if she tries again?
I'll tell her you came by.
Quiet. Daniel, we have to be really quiet here.
- What's wrong with Mommy?
- She's ill.
But she's sleeping.
She'll be alright soon.
Platoon,
assume the push-up position!
Do you have sand in your ears?!
Drown down.
You too, Comrade Krause.
Keep it up until those sad sacks
finish the track.
And a one,
and a two, and a three,
and a four, and a five
and a six,
and a seven, and an eight,
and a nine, and a ten,
and eleven, and twelve!
Come on, Burre.
A chain is only as strong
as its weakest link.
So what do you propose,
Comrades Trainee Corporals?
Leave him behind,
Comrade Staff Sergeant.
He's putting the entire company
in danger.
Give him assistance,
Comrade Staff Sergeant.
Go ahead then,
Comrade Hoffmann.
Help him.
I give you a leg up. Come
Pull! Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Now do it again.
And you, who didn't want
to help your comrade,
start duck marching,
all around me!
Put your back into it!
Keeep your ass down!
Training Platoon,
barracks inspecion.
This is the locker
of Trainee Corporal Hoffmann.
Oh man, this isn't a locker
it's a pig sty.
The professor has no time
to clean his locker.
Is this for reading or shitting?
- What did you learn?
- Nothing.
- That's, "Nothing, Comrade Sergeant."
- Nothing, Comrade Seargeant.
- What are your parents?
- A doctor and a nurse.
Ah, intellectuals.
- Hobbies?
- I play the cello, Comrade Sergeant.
No sports?
Chess?
Are you trying to mess with me?
How are you?
I was there for two weeks
You could have dropped by.
You were Manfred's patient
I couldn't just lurk around.
What do you want?
- Did you quit?
- It's not your business anymore.
- I want to see Lucie.
- But we never want to see you again.
Josta...
You can't treat me like this
Josta!
Get lost or I'll call the police.
Request granted.
They granted our request.
- We can leave.
- When?
- We'll be over there for Christmas.
- But that's in three days.
- I don't care.
- What's up, Regine?
We're allowed to leave.
- But the house, selling your furniture...
- I've got nothing left.
I've terminated my account.
You've always stood by me.
- I didn't let it get to me...
- Stop it.
If it hadn't been for you... I have to go.
I just wanted to tell you.
- Oh God, I'm so happy.
- Where are you going?
- To help her pack.
- No, you've done enough.
I have to go.
Thank you.
We'll see each other
before I leave, okay?
Thanks.
For everything.
The AK-47 submachine gun,
caliber .762,
600 rounds per minute,
nominally,
and a muzzle velocity
of 700 meters per second,
is the most dependable
automatic weapon.
With a minimum of moveable parts
and a fighting weight of 4.9 kilos,
it works optimally at a range
of 400 meters.
What's that doodling, Burre?
Get up!
"If love didn't exist..."
What are you trying to pull?
It's a poem,
Comrade Sergeant.
"If love didn't exist
there wouldn't be..."
It's riddled with spelling mistakes.
"...there wouldn't be
any venereal diseases..."
Attention!
"If love didn't exist
there wouldn't be any venereal diseases.
If love didn't exist
we wouldn't have anything to say..."
Still think it's funny?
"If love didn't exist?"
That's shit, you jerk! Eat it!
- Get back to bed.
- Leave him alone.
- Leave us alone.
- We shouldn't screw each other too.
Eat it. It looks like chocolate spread.
That's socialist upbringing
Eating shit until it tastes like chocolate.
Get lost, Professor,
or we'll stick you in as well.
Fall out!
I'm sorry.
- There were too many of them.
- It's alright. I don't care.
Life isn't always fair,
Comrade.
There are two kinds of people:
Those on top
and those on the bottom.
Those with cash
and those without.
Those who give orders,
those who follow them.
And if they want different things
there'll be mutual agreement
or there'll be a fight
That was quite a speech.
The only one you'll hear from me.
What if you don't want to fight?
Kretzschmar,
establish nighttime rest.
- Merry Christmas, Comrade Sergeant.
- You can all kiss my ass.
It'll be fine.
Give it half an hour,
and we'll be nice and warm.
Christian will make it.
I just have the feeling
he's not cut out for it.
- Alright. Did you go to the hairdresser's?
- Do you like it?
I go to Wiener,
he understands women's hair.
They cut our coal rations.
I go and chop wood in the forest.
That's illegal, isn't it?
So what? There are plenty
of hassles anyway.
And the bigwigs won't listen.
The district babbles
about temporary bottlenecks.
Ina can send me something
once she's in Berlin.
Berlin?
Why Berlin?
Didn't Thoms tell you?
He applied at University Hospital.
They accepted him.
Don't look at me like that.
I can't help it.
Berlin is better, anyway.
They even sell leggings.
Here, they don't even know
how to spell it.
How terribly important.
Here, Ezzo,
take it.
Give me your plate.
I think...
you'll have to celebrate without me.
- Morning, Comrades.
- Morning, Comrade Captain
After training you were assigned
to my company.
I'm Captain Fiedler.
Don't break the rules,
and we'll get along fine.
Fall in.
It's the only job I could get
In summer,
at least you're out in the fresh air.
But now that the earth is frozen solid,
I'll have to find something else.
Are you still writing?
I said, are you still writing?
- What?
- A new novel. Or...
What?
Never mind. I don't want to pry.
- Can you put it on my tab?
- This is on me.
Then you'll have to drink with me.
You know what this country
will never be short of? Booze.
No bubbly in the summer,
but there'll always be beer
And this rotgut here, definitely.
Very carefully.
I should have cleaned up
Nonsense. I shouldn't have
taken you home.
You didn't take me home.
It seemed appropriate
to accompany you.
That wasn't the deal.
You should write.
Don't let them discourage you
Please.
Get out.
Damn it,
what's keeping them?
Don't get into a state.
They'll be here.
Hello, Doctor.
Hello, Franziska.
Look, Mommy,
there's Daddy.
Daddy!
I want to go to Daddy!
No! I want to go to Daddy!
They're coming!
They're coming!
Where were you?
What kept you?
It was the oil line.
I fixed it!
- How's it going?
- What can I say?
Howling with the pack
or being eaten?
Isn't it like that everywhere?
Will you, Ina Rohde, take
Thomas Wernstein, here present
to be your lawful wedded husband
to love and honor him,
in good times and in bad
until death do you part?
- So answer me--
- Yes, I do!
The pastor has to move closer.
Huddle up.
That's it.
- Smile.
- Attention...
- The cake's coming!
- Sit down, please. Ulrich, everyone.
The cake!
One, two...
three!
- Go on, do it.
- You have to pull.
Put some effort into it!
If there's anything bothering you
I'm always there for you.
- You know that, don't you?
- I know.
Ezzo was discharged.
Barbara took care of it.
Your father and his principles.
- I'll survive.
Do you want to dance?
Come on,
try to have a good time.
Just let me eat in peace!
- So I can't persuade you to stay?
- No.
As head of the clinic,
I'd offer you to take over Surgery.
If you become head.
But even then...
University Hospital.
Sauerbruch, Brugsch, Nissen...
Research, Richard.
What do you mean, if?
Is that why you invited Kohler?
A broad hint?
Come on, Richard.
Not now.
How nice to you to give us
some attention, too.
- I won't be head.
- You should have spared Christian.
You're not listening.
Kohler will be head of the clinic.
That careerist.
I should have kept my trap shut.
I should have worked with them.
With whom?
With Big Brother's pals.
- Your father signed something once.
- What are you telling me?
Nothing.
You always spouted those big words
about decency and honesty.
Are you with...
I'm not.
It's complicated.
You don't understand.
No I don't.
And I don't want to.
All this shit about booze,
stuffing yourself and careers.
- Sit back down.
- No I won't!
All this isn't important!
It's just phony shit,
all of it!
"Dear parents,
You lit three candles today,
and I promised you this letter.
Thanks for yours, Mom
which reached me at bivouac.
They might read your letters here,
but I don't care
I know you're not allowed
to write openly about this...
Whistles. Shouting. Rushing. Getting
ready to march in the allotted time.
Grey blanket covering the bed.
Love, Christian."
Where do you come from?
You're too old to study.
Did they keep you behind?
I had some trouble
and had to hide.
That's not easy
in our GDR empire.
- You're kidding.
- A guy came on to me at the disco.
I knocked him down.
I'm waiting for things
to calm down.
If you sign up,
they don't ask questions.
- So you volunteered.
- I was forced to volunteer. Like you.
- I had to.
- To become a doctor. That's good.
I don't know.
I come from a circus family
No chooling. I was the strong man.
I juggled weights.
My brother fell off the high wire,
onto the frame.
Two rods pierced him.
Through here. It looked bad.
The operation lasted all night.
Was that four, five years ago?
On the banks of the Elbe?
- A torn liver, punctured lung?
- How do you know?
My father told me.
He operated on your brother.
No shit?
Hey, I'm not your commander.
Your father saved my brother's life.
This is the least I can do.
That was my father,
not me.
And I've had it
up to here with him.
I'm glad to do it.
Have it your way.
Man, Burre's really strong!
Hands off!
I can't take it anymore!
Bye Nina.
Yes, you have
a lovely daughter.
You promised
my boy would be a medic.
You think you can ignore us,
because your lover left you?
- It was a promise.
- Your duty.
- Is this how you build trust?
- A trust you haven't been worthy of.
Please. Let Christian do his service
with the medics.
- He wants to be a doctor.
- Keep your promises, then we'll see.
Get in line!
Right flank, close ranks!
Get a move on, Burre!
Come on, quick time!
Prototype 1636,
from 1917.
Probably the only one
of its kind.
Why do you want to sell it?
Come with me.
Are you crazy, Manne?
I'll sit here.
My wife and daughter there.
- How will this work?
- Two MZ engines should do it.
I'll have to make a plastic cockpit.
A Messerschmitt windbreak, maybe.
These are plaster bandages
from the hospital.
I need the money for a flatbed,
to take it to the border.
Stop. I don't want to hear.
- You're my best friend.
We've known each other
for 30 years.
If I can't trust you,
who is there?
I can't go on here.
They arrested Alexandra.
Six months juvenile labor camp.
She just can't
keep her mouth shut.
She keeps taking on
the teachers.
I can't answer her questions
about our country.
Se asks the teachers when even
her clothes are a provocation to them.
They took our custody away.
I looked at your requirements.
and it's pointless
to pass them on.
Your building applications
are unacceptable.
Show some initiative.
- We're doctors, not roofers.
- I don't have the budget.
Damp everywhere, black fungus,
in a hospital.
You have to look
at the big picture.
We're favoring
the children's clinic.
- We applied 13 years ago!
- And it was granted.
Children are the future,
aren't they?
We'll try to make it part
of the next plan.
We?!
Who's we, actually?
Mr. Müller. The party leadership.
The union.
That's not what you mean by "we."
You can't feel part of it anymore.
You're leaving us.
Good evening.
You may remember me,
I'm a classmate of Christian's.
Can you give me his address?
He promised to write to me.
I didn't know
he could be this funny.
Although once,
when Schnürchel...
Our civics teacher.
Christian had a Band Aid..
On his head? Was he hurt
I didn't know about that.
It was no big deal.
Anyway, Schnürchel asked
about the Band Aid.
And Christian said,
really dead pan
"I racked my brain
over the class struggle."
Do we have company?
This is Reina,
Christian's school friend.
Good evening.
I'm going to bed.
It's been a long day.
If this goes on,
we'll have to evacuate.
I got a handyman,
he promised to fix
the roof next week.
- We can do the room ourselves.
- I have to see my patients!
That should be possible!
Dr. Hoffmann, can you help us
clear up some facts?
What about the car?
You share a barn, don't you?
And you didn't notice Dr. Weniger
was building an airplane?
I'm not an engineer.
What will your friend think
when he sees your signature?
That you squealed on him
- I know it wasn't me.
- You know nothing, you upstart.
You think you can get away
with anything?
Can you cover this up?
Theft of the people's property.
These plaster bandages?
All these things
for the airplane.
Do you know what this is?
It's aiding and abetting
flight from the Republic.
If we hadn't lost
one surgeon already,
if I didn't have
to protect the people
I'd lock you up
and charge you too.
Company,
battle alarm!
- What's going on?
- It's always when you least expect it.
Battle alarm!
Burre?
Man, are you all right?
Burre, you again.
Comrade Burre has been complaining
about chest pains.
If I want your opinion
I'll ask you.
Burre can speak for himself.
Is this true? Do you want
to let the brigade down?
It's all right.
I must have overeaten.
Assume battle stations.
Platoon, attention!
Arms at the ready.
March!
Jan! Jan...
Oh hell, no...
Platoon, halt!
- Platoon, halt.
- Oh, shit...
He's dying! Jan...
He's dying!
You stupid bastard!
This could only happen
in this shitty system!
You miserable rats!
This isn't about the regrettable death
of Comrade Burre.
It's about the things you said.
We know you,
Comrade Hoffmann.
You drew attention
to yourself in school.
You read Nazi literature.
You sided with
a refractory fellow student
who's become
a class enemy.
Who did you get this from/
Your father, who flaunts
his bourgeois morals...
while he has a daughter
with some secretary?
Oh, you didn't know
about that?
Yes, he's been leading
a double life for years.
So it's no wonder
that this is the result.
How could you sink so low
Comrade Hoffmann?
Think of your mother.
Your revolutionary grandparents
who fought and suffered for the cause.
"This could only happen
in this shitty system."
Did you say that?
Burre was ill,
he'd been sick before.
What?
He was ill,
he'd been sick before.
Did you use these words?
I didn't mean it that way.
They'll say he had
a heart condition.
So it's not
the commander's fault.
That's what they'll say.
It'll be hushed up, of course.
Christian,
you've got a visitor.
The sarge owed me a favor
Go on, take it.
Give her one
from me, okay?
I didn't think
they'd let you out.
Sometimes.
You never know.
Why didn't you write?
No news.
Always the same tedium.
You look different.
So do you.
I'm actually studying chemistry.
I don't know what
I'll be able to use it for.
Svetlana has gone to the USSR,
to Lomonosov.
And Siegbert and Verena
have split up.
She applied for an exit visa
and was expelled.
So it goes.
And it seems
you've become cynical.
It's all about power
nothing else.
Go there, do this.
If you don't, we'll destroy you.
Two guys will arrest you.
If you beat them, they send four.
The fifth one
racks the Kalashnikov.
You simply can't win.
Stop it, you scumbag...
- They want to destroy him
- Attacking an officer.
That's not the charge.
They'd have to investigate
- I don't understand
- Vilification will be the only charge.
That's a political offense.
What did he get us into now?
This is Albert Fromme.
- Well, this is a surprise.
- No coin this time, Hannes.
Nobody came.
I waited for three hours,
and nobody came. The bastards!
It'll probably be a Paragraph 220.
Public vilification.
Vilifying the state order, organs
institutions, or organizations
or their activities and policies.
It could mean
up to three years in prison.
I've got some awards here.
Testimonials, certificates.
For effort at the socialist school
Free German Youth, the Pioneers.
Socially conscious.
"He's a valuable member
of the class collective."
A medal for protecting socialism
as a member of the FGY collective.
That's something.
These are good arguments.
And we'll mention them,
of course.
In the name of the people
According to Paragraph 220
Section I
the accused are found guilty
of public vilification
and sentenced
to 20 months' imprisonment.
The period in pretrial detention
is taken into account.
The remaining period of imprisonment
must still be served.
Cristian Hoffmann's study permit
at Karl Marx University is revoked.
The convicted prisoners
must pay for the trial.
Pick up your stuff
and head for your quarters.
I can't go on, Richard.
I can't go on.
I don't know what
will become of Christian, of us.
I simply can't go on.
I know you have a daughter
with the Dean's secretary
Lucie, a little girl. Very sweet.
You cheated and lied for years.
And what about you?
- What about you and Sperber?
- Sperber and me?
Even you can't sink this low
- I'm glad you're here.
- What's wrong?
He went to his room
and won't respond.
The emergency doctor says
his pulse and breathing are normal.
It's been announced.
Kohler will take over the clinic
when Müller retires.
Doctor?
Your wife is here.
Thank you.
Good evening.
What are you doing here?
- We had an appointment
- Oh. I'm sorry.
No one wants to appeal.
They all say it's hopeless.
I...
I'm at my wits' end.
Change what you can change,
accept what you can't change,
and learn to tell the difference.
You can't maneuver through life
that way.
Ulrich filed a complaint.
He may lose his position as manager.
What good does it do anyone?
It won't get any better.
Yes, it will get better.
Won't you come
to the church reading after all?
How's Christian?
"Dear Mom.
For our socialist reeducation,
Stefan and I are
at Schwedt Petrochemical."
Terminate nighttime rest!
"Woken a four.
Early sports and morning wash."
Line up!
"With the convoy
to the early shift at 4.
12 hours of work,
and then back.
For the first time in my life,
I'm really working... at an electrode oven.
Feeding it coke and burnt lime.
At first I behaved like a fool,
but I'm better now."
The brigadier said they're shorthanded,
they need us more than we need them.
I negotiated some bonuses.
Black, of course.
"12 hours at the oven.
24 run offs per shift,
if nothing happens.
Such as lumpy carbide
or pollution clogging the oven."
Ever seen an elephant piss?
The clown underneath
wasn't laughing anymore.
"I've met great people here.
I've never felt better.
At last I feel useful.
I almost feel proud.
These are simple, honest men.
You don't have to live
with your head bowed.
invisible like dust.
I'm glad I don't have to wonder whether
what I do makes any sense or not.
Dear Mom, I'm thinking of you.
Your Christian."
"Your Christian."
- They banned Eschschloraque.
- At our theatre?
- He raved and blamed the director.
- Can you hold this?
- Firmly.
- It's as hard as a rock.
I'll never crack it.
It's a parable.
Put a GDR flag on it.
I give up.
One incident and you'll go back
where you came from.
Understood?
Fall out!
Barracks 4.
This is Stefan, I'm Christian.
From Schwedt.
This is our last stretch.
We don't want trouble,
we won't make any. That's all.
Schwedt? Really?
I had to have Richard committed.
Is it true what they say about him?
You're looking well.
Better than I feared.
You don't have to worry about me.
I'll finish my last year,
then it'll be fine.
When I finally get out,
I'll join the circus again.
But you know what I'll do first?
Get properly laid.
Two in one go, preferably.
The magician has twins.
Blondes from Ukraine, with endless legs.
Maybe he'll give them to me
as a kind of welcome.
- Dream on, but quietly.
- Why? Got a hard-on already?
Man, Schwedt was
a lot more exciting.
Shut up,
you day-shift jerks!
Hello. Welcome, Mr. Rohde.
Let's wait
about three minutes,
and then we'll begin.
Before we begin, let me say
I notice a lot of new faces.
- I'd like to know who's in visiting whom.
- Who cares?
It's fair to ask
if there are people here
who forced us
to gather like this.
- Because they won't publish us.
- I don't think Rohde refused your book.
That was decided elsewhere.
Okay, I'm sorry.
This dialogue takes place
during a process of mutual learning.
And, as every one of us knows
it is by no means limited
to the election campaign.
We have made our choice
once and for all.
And on May 7,
we will confirm it again.
Socialism on Germain soil.
Learning from the Soviet Union
means learning to win.
Glastnost and perestroika.
Never before has the language
of the occupiers been this warm.
Let's respond to the charges
in the East.
To the thaw and the transformation.
In the polling booths.
Let's make the dream
of our great poet come true.
of freedom and of life.
The only is deserving
who every day
must conquer them anew.
I want to see
that teeming crowd
to stand on freedom's soil
with people who are free.
80 percent in our district voted yes.
Only 80 percent.
They're cheating.
The election is rigged!
They're screwing the people!
Come on, take the pamphlets,
we're going out.
Call the others.
Pick up the pamphlets,
we'll hit the streets.
This is crazy.
- Anne...
- I'm coming.
We're going out into the streets.
We've called the others.
You're back.
What's going on here?
A lot has happened.
I dreamed about you.
About what happened
at the clinic.
- You saved me after the accident.
- The doctors saved you.
I was looking at your cleavage
all the time.
I was crazy about you.
And you blushed.
You'd cheated death.
and jumped right
back into life,
full speed ahead.
I love you.
You only love yourself.
You love the image
you created of yourself,
of me,
of Christian.
You were never interested
in anyone else.
No, Richard.
You're the most selfish person
I've ever met.
Don't wait for me.
Hundreds of GDR citizens
fled to Austria by way of Hungary.
Barsano has to say something now.
They can't ignore it.
If they want to go,
let them go.
Let them go.
I won't shed a tear
over them.
The traitors.
I saw you at the church.
They want to betray
everything I hold sacred.
Power was paid for dearly
in blood.
You can't just let go of it.
What will people do
with their freedom?
What the aristocracy, their models,
liked most was to go hunting.
The little people have their own hunt.
They go fishing.
What do you achieve
with a revolution?
You create more anglers,
that's all.
Please excuse me.
I've had enough.
GDR citizens who sought sanctuary
at embassies abroad,
are allowed to go.
Foreign Minister Genscher himself
told the 3,555 refugees in Prague.
You have to publish
your new text.
If necessary,
in the West.
I can't take it to my contact.
Berlin is off limits.
I... I can take care
of that for you.
Have you heard?
They're letting them leave.
Yes, I've heard.
It's my only copy.
I know.
- I must be crazy.
- Me too.
All refugees at the embassies
will travel to West Germany by
East German trains through GDR territory.
It's still unclear whether they'll take
the Dresden or Bad Brambach line.
Radebeul.
That's near Dresden,
isn't it?
Karl May was born there.
Do you think
anyone's interested?
--
Can I see your ticket, please?
- It was already checked three--
- Don't make trouble, friend.
Open your suitcase.
What's this?
Pamphlets?
I'm going to a conference
in the capital.
How often do I have to tell you?!
The Culture Secretary wants
the manuscript tomorrow morning.
Thank you.
Do you happen to know
when the train leaves?
We don't know anything.
Hey Nina!
Anne!
- Where are you going?
- To see the trains from Prague.
- Come on down.
- Out on the street.
Out on the street!
Out on the street!
Comrades, you'll cover the rear
of the People's Police.
You won't let the counterrevolutionaries
march through this city.
Today, you're at the frontline, defending
against revanchism and war.
Of course, Comrade.
I understood that already.
As you ordered.
They don't want
to give up control.
To set an example.
Sovereignty.
Do the trains have
to come through here?
People will try to board them.
Clear the station.
- You'd better get out of here.
- Will there be a train to Berlin?
Watch out,
enemies of the people!
We want out!
We want out!
Give it back!
Give that to me!
We want out!
We want out!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
Put on a splint
and take her to X-ray.
What's keeping the compresses,
damn it?
- Meno?
- I've got a ticket to Berlin
I'm allowed to be here.
A dog bite.
When did you get
your last tetanus shot?
Look at me.
Your last shot?
Get some salt.
He needs water.
Meno, give me the papers
Let go.
I'll keep them for you.
You'll get them back, I promise.
No one will hurt you here.
Relax.
No violence!
No violence!
Nina!
No. Stop it!
Stop it.
Mom!
Leave her alone,
you bastards!
Leave her alone!
Leave her alone!
- Christian!
- Mom!
Comrade Hoffmann,
can you hear me?
Comrade Hoffmann,
do you want to tell me something?
Only two months to go.
He could stay at the barracks.
Office duty.
If you take responsibility.
Hoffmann, you're on office duty
until further notice.
You too, Kretzschmar.
don't let him out of your sight.
We're not like this at all.
There's nothing to see here.
As the Interior Ministry announced,
the cabinet of the GDR has decided
that until suitable arrangements
have been made
there will be temporary measures
for travelers and emigrants from the GDR.
One: The decree
of November 30, 1988
concerning GDR citizens
traveling abroad.
will not be applied anymore until
the new traveler laws are implemented.
Two: The following
interim regulations
for travelers leaving the GDR
will be implemented.
Private journeys abroad
can be applied for without conditions
such as family circumstances.
The appropriate visa departments
of the People's Police are instructed
to promptly grant visa
for permanent departure.
The former conditions for permanent
departure no longer apply.
Permanent departure can take place at
all border crossing points of the GDR.
This cancels the temporary issuing
of appropriate permits
by foreign embassies of the GDR
or the permanet departure from the GDR
by way of third-party states.
What did I tell you?
Aren't they pretty, those little dolls?
Look at them.
I'll be seeing you.
One, two, three...
I got your enrollment papers.
Meno helped me.
You can start studying.
Tomorrow, next week,
whenever you want.
Thanks, that's sweet.
Come here, you.
Mom...
I've always done
what you wanted.
Dad, these people here...
think I have
to go on alone now.
I'll be in touch.
Have a safe trip home.
---
There you are at last.
- Is the family complete?
- 100 percent.
- What about Math?
- Leave him alone. It's Christmas.
He's giving up.
- What's wrong?
- Trouble at the clinic.
- Is it another woman?
- No, what makes you say that?
Stay. We're your family too
- Hello, little angel.
- Daddy!
- You said you'd get a divorce.
- I can't.
If you go, I'll kill myself.
- Cant a colleague declare him unfit?
- The army won't kill him.
I'll wait. Three years is a long time,
but you can write, okay?
Mrs. Fischer was bought in
She tried to kill herself.
Come on, Lucie.
I want to stay home.
We'll visit Mommy
at the hospital, ok?
She'll be so glad to see you.
THE TOWER
Part 2
Abraham, Burre, Hoffmann,
Irrgang, Krause,
Kretzschmar,
Rother, and Senger,
Barrack Room 1.
Fall out.
Today, if you please.
Make it snappy, Comrade.
- Hello, I'm Jan Burre.
- Hoffmann, Christian.
- Kretzschmar.
- Shut your big mouth back there.
Training Platoon,
turn out!
- Heels.
- I hate it already.
Quiet!
If you want to gab,
it's, "Comrade Sergeant,
permission to speak?"
Today's exercise
donning the various uniforms
within the allotted times.
Training Platoon
Field Duty Uniform Two.
Two minutes and thirty seconds.
Shut your big mouth.
Don't sling it all into your locker.
It's a mess.
One minute.
Hey, watch out!
- Thanks. I'm Jan, by the way.
- Shut your big mouth.
I didn't say anything.
And you're not supposed to.
- How serious was she?
- Deadly serious. Pills and gas.
Fifteen minutes later,
she would have been gone.
- Put down food poisoning.
- The whole house could have exploded.
Not everyone needs to know.
Why would I do that?
- She's a colleague.
- And if she tries again?
I'll tell her you came by.
Quiet. Daniel, we have to be really quiet here.
- What's wrong with Mommy?
- She's ill.
But she's sleeping.
She'll be alright soon.
Platoon,
assume the push-up position!
Do you have sand in your ears?!
Drown down.
You too, Comrade Krause.
Keep it up until those sad sacks
finish the track.
And a one,
and a two, and a three,
and a four, and a five
and a six,
and a seven, and an eight,
and a nine, and a ten,
and eleven, and twelve!
Come on, Burre.
A chain is only as strong
as its weakest link.
So what do you propose,
Comrades Trainee Corporals?
Leave him behind,
Comrade Staff Sergeant.
He's putting the entire company
in danger.
Give him assistance,
Comrade Staff Sergeant.
Go ahead then,
Comrade Hoffmann.
Help him.
I give you a leg up. Come
Pull! Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Now do it again.
And you, who didn't want
to help your comrade,
start duck marching,
all around me!
Put your back into it!
Keeep your ass down!
Training Platoon,
barracks inspecion.
This is the locker
of Trainee Corporal Hoffmann.
Oh man, this isn't a locker
it's a pig sty.
The professor has no time
to clean his locker.
Is this for reading or shitting?
- What did you learn?
- Nothing.
- That's, "Nothing, Comrade Sergeant."
- Nothing, Comrade Seargeant.
- What are your parents?
- A doctor and a nurse.
Ah, intellectuals.
- Hobbies?
- I play the cello, Comrade Sergeant.
No sports?
Chess?
Are you trying to mess with me?
How are you?
I was there for two weeks
You could have dropped by.
You were Manfred's patient
I couldn't just lurk around.
What do you want?
- Did you quit?
- It's not your business anymore.
- I want to see Lucie.
- But we never want to see you again.
Josta...
You can't treat me like this
Josta!
Get lost or I'll call the police.
Request granted.
They granted our request.
- We can leave.
- When?
- We'll be over there for Christmas.
- But that's in three days.
- I don't care.
- What's up, Regine?
We're allowed to leave.
- But the house, selling your furniture...
- I've got nothing left.
I've terminated my account.
You've always stood by me.
- I didn't let it get to me...
- Stop it.
If it hadn't been for you... I have to go.
I just wanted to tell you.
- Oh God, I'm so happy.
- Where are you going?
- To help her pack.
- No, you've done enough.
I have to go.
Thank you.
We'll see each other
before I leave, okay?
Thanks.
For everything.
The AK-47 submachine gun,
caliber .762,
600 rounds per minute,
nominally,
and a muzzle velocity
of 700 meters per second,
is the most dependable
automatic weapon.
With a minimum of moveable parts
and a fighting weight of 4.9 kilos,
it works optimally at a range
of 400 meters.
What's that doodling, Burre?
Get up!
"If love didn't exist..."
What are you trying to pull?
It's a poem,
Comrade Sergeant.
"If love didn't exist
there wouldn't be..."
It's riddled with spelling mistakes.
"...there wouldn't be
any venereal diseases..."
Attention!
"If love didn't exist
there wouldn't be any venereal diseases.
If love didn't exist
we wouldn't have anything to say..."
Still think it's funny?
"If love didn't exist?"
That's shit, you jerk! Eat it!
- Get back to bed.
- Leave him alone.
- Leave us alone.
- We shouldn't screw each other too.
Eat it. It looks like chocolate spread.
That's socialist upbringing
Eating shit until it tastes like chocolate.
Get lost, Professor,
or we'll stick you in as well.
Fall out!
I'm sorry.
- There were too many of them.
- It's alright. I don't care.
Life isn't always fair,
Comrade.
There are two kinds of people:
Those on top
and those on the bottom.
Those with cash
and those without.
Those who give orders,
those who follow them.
And if they want different things
there'll be mutual agreement
or there'll be a fight
That was quite a speech.
The only one you'll hear from me.
What if you don't want to fight?
Kretzschmar,
establish nighttime rest.
- Merry Christmas, Comrade Sergeant.
- You can all kiss my ass.
It'll be fine.
Give it half an hour,
and we'll be nice and warm.
Christian will make it.
I just have the feeling
he's not cut out for it.
- Alright. Did you go to the hairdresser's?
- Do you like it?
I go to Wiener,
he understands women's hair.
They cut our coal rations.
I go and chop wood in the forest.
That's illegal, isn't it?
So what? There are plenty
of hassles anyway.
And the bigwigs won't listen.
The district babbles
about temporary bottlenecks.
Ina can send me something
once she's in Berlin.
Berlin?
Why Berlin?
Didn't Thoms tell you?
He applied at University Hospital.
They accepted him.
Don't look at me like that.
I can't help it.
Berlin is better, anyway.
They even sell leggings.
Here, they don't even know
how to spell it.
How terribly important.
Here, Ezzo,
take it.
Give me your plate.
I think...
you'll have to celebrate without me.
- Morning, Comrades.
- Morning, Comrade Captain
After training you were assigned
to my company.
I'm Captain Fiedler.
Don't break the rules,
and we'll get along fine.
Fall in.
It's the only job I could get
In summer,
at least you're out in the fresh air.
But now that the earth is frozen solid,
I'll have to find something else.
Are you still writing?
I said, are you still writing?
- What?
- A new novel. Or...
What?
Never mind. I don't want to pry.
- Can you put it on my tab?
- This is on me.
Then you'll have to drink with me.
You know what this country
will never be short of? Booze.
No bubbly in the summer,
but there'll always be beer
And this rotgut here, definitely.
Very carefully.
I should have cleaned up
Nonsense. I shouldn't have
taken you home.
You didn't take me home.
It seemed appropriate
to accompany you.
That wasn't the deal.
You should write.
Don't let them discourage you
Please.
Get out.
Damn it,
what's keeping them?
Don't get into a state.
They'll be here.
Hello, Doctor.
Hello, Franziska.
Look, Mommy,
there's Daddy.
Daddy!
I want to go to Daddy!
No! I want to go to Daddy!
They're coming!
They're coming!
Where were you?
What kept you?
It was the oil line.
I fixed it!
- How's it going?
- What can I say?
Howling with the pack
or being eaten?
Isn't it like that everywhere?
Will you, Ina Rohde, take
Thomas Wernstein, here present
to be your lawful wedded husband
to love and honor him,
in good times and in bad
until death do you part?
- So answer me--
- Yes, I do!
The pastor has to move closer.
Huddle up.
That's it.
- Smile.
- Attention...
- The cake's coming!
- Sit down, please. Ulrich, everyone.
The cake!
One, two...
three!
- Go on, do it.
- You have to pull.
Put some effort into it!
If there's anything bothering you
I'm always there for you.
- You know that, don't you?
- I know.
Ezzo was discharged.
Barbara took care of it.
Your father and his principles.
- I'll survive.
Do you want to dance?
Come on,
try to have a good time.
Just let me eat in peace!
- So I can't persuade you to stay?
- No.
As head of the clinic,
I'd offer you to take over Surgery.
If you become head.
But even then...
University Hospital.
Sauerbruch, Brugsch, Nissen...
Research, Richard.
What do you mean, if?
Is that why you invited Kohler?
A broad hint?
Come on, Richard.
Not now.
How nice to you to give us
some attention, too.
- I won't be head.
- You should have spared Christian.
You're not listening.
Kohler will be head of the clinic.
That careerist.
I should have kept my trap shut.
I should have worked with them.
With whom?
With Big Brother's pals.
- Your father signed something once.
- What are you telling me?
Nothing.
You always spouted those big words
about decency and honesty.
Are you with...
I'm not.
It's complicated.
You don't understand.
No I don't.
And I don't want to.
All this shit about booze,
stuffing yourself and careers.
- Sit back down.
- No I won't!
All this isn't important!
It's just phony shit,
all of it!
"Dear parents,
You lit three candles today,
and I promised you this letter.
Thanks for yours, Mom
which reached me at bivouac.
They might read your letters here,
but I don't care
I know you're not allowed
to write openly about this...
Whistles. Shouting. Rushing. Getting
ready to march in the allotted time.
Grey blanket covering the bed.
Love, Christian."
Where do you come from?
You're too old to study.
Did they keep you behind?
I had some trouble
and had to hide.
That's not easy
in our GDR empire.
- You're kidding.
- A guy came on to me at the disco.
I knocked him down.
I'm waiting for things
to calm down.
If you sign up,
they don't ask questions.
- So you volunteered.
- I was forced to volunteer. Like you.
- I had to.
- To become a doctor. That's good.
I don't know.
I come from a circus family
No chooling. I was the strong man.
I juggled weights.
My brother fell off the high wire,
onto the frame.
Two rods pierced him.
Through here. It looked bad.
The operation lasted all night.
Was that four, five years ago?
On the banks of the Elbe?
- A torn liver, punctured lung?
- How do you know?
My father told me.
He operated on your brother.
No shit?
Hey, I'm not your commander.
Your father saved my brother's life.
This is the least I can do.
That was my father,
not me.
And I've had it
up to here with him.
I'm glad to do it.
Have it your way.
Man, Burre's really strong!
Hands off!
I can't take it anymore!
Bye Nina.
Yes, you have
a lovely daughter.
You promised
my boy would be a medic.
You think you can ignore us,
because your lover left you?
- It was a promise.
- Your duty.
- Is this how you build trust?
- A trust you haven't been worthy of.
Please. Let Christian do his service
with the medics.
- He wants to be a doctor.
- Keep your promises, then we'll see.
Get in line!
Right flank, close ranks!
Get a move on, Burre!
Come on, quick time!
Prototype 1636,
from 1917.
Probably the only one
of its kind.
Why do you want to sell it?
Come with me.
Are you crazy, Manne?
I'll sit here.
My wife and daughter there.
- How will this work?
- Two MZ engines should do it.
I'll have to make a plastic cockpit.
A Messerschmitt windbreak, maybe.
These are plaster bandages
from the hospital.
I need the money for a flatbed,
to take it to the border.
Stop. I don't want to hear.
- You're my best friend.
We've known each other
for 30 years.
If I can't trust you,
who is there?
I can't go on here.
They arrested Alexandra.
Six months juvenile labor camp.
She just can't
keep her mouth shut.
She keeps taking on
the teachers.
I can't answer her questions
about our country.
Se asks the teachers when even
her clothes are a provocation to them.
They took our custody away.
I looked at your requirements.
and it's pointless
to pass them on.
Your building applications
are unacceptable.
Show some initiative.
- We're doctors, not roofers.
- I don't have the budget.
Damp everywhere, black fungus,
in a hospital.
You have to look
at the big picture.
We're favoring
the children's clinic.
- We applied 13 years ago!
- And it was granted.
Children are the future,
aren't they?
We'll try to make it part
of the next plan.
We?!
Who's we, actually?
Mr. Müller. The party leadership.
The union.
That's not what you mean by "we."
You can't feel part of it anymore.
You're leaving us.
Good evening.
You may remember me,
I'm a classmate of Christian's.
Can you give me his address?
He promised to write to me.
I didn't know
he could be this funny.
Although once,
when Schnürchel...
Our civics teacher.
Christian had a Band Aid..
On his head? Was he hurt
I didn't know about that.
It was no big deal.
Anyway, Schnürchel asked
about the Band Aid.
And Christian said,
really dead pan
"I racked my brain
over the class struggle."
Do we have company?
This is Reina,
Christian's school friend.
Good evening.
I'm going to bed.
It's been a long day.
If this goes on,
we'll have to evacuate.
I got a handyman,
he promised to fix
the roof next week.
- We can do the room ourselves.
- I have to see my patients!
That should be possible!
Dr. Hoffmann, can you help us
clear up some facts?
What about the car?
You share a barn, don't you?
And you didn't notice Dr. Weniger
was building an airplane?
I'm not an engineer.
What will your friend think
when he sees your signature?
That you squealed on him
- I know it wasn't me.
- You know nothing, you upstart.
You think you can get away
with anything?
Can you cover this up?
Theft of the people's property.
These plaster bandages?
All these things
for the airplane.
Do you know what this is?
It's aiding and abetting
flight from the Republic.
If we hadn't lost
one surgeon already,
if I didn't have
to protect the people
I'd lock you up
and charge you too.
Company,
battle alarm!
- What's going on?
- It's always when you least expect it.
Battle alarm!
Burre?
Man, are you all right?
Burre, you again.
Comrade Burre has been complaining
about chest pains.
If I want your opinion
I'll ask you.
Burre can speak for himself.
Is this true? Do you want
to let the brigade down?
It's all right.
I must have overeaten.
Assume battle stations.
Platoon, attention!
Arms at the ready.
March!
Jan! Jan...
Oh hell, no...
Platoon, halt!
- Platoon, halt.
- Oh, shit...
He's dying! Jan...
He's dying!
You stupid bastard!
This could only happen
in this shitty system!
You miserable rats!
This isn't about the regrettable death
of Comrade Burre.
It's about the things you said.
We know you,
Comrade Hoffmann.
You drew attention
to yourself in school.
You read Nazi literature.
You sided with
a refractory fellow student
who's become
a class enemy.
Who did you get this from/
Your father, who flaunts
his bourgeois morals...
while he has a daughter
with some secretary?
Oh, you didn't know
about that?
Yes, he's been leading
a double life for years.
So it's no wonder
that this is the result.
How could you sink so low
Comrade Hoffmann?
Think of your mother.
Your revolutionary grandparents
who fought and suffered for the cause.
"This could only happen
in this shitty system."
Did you say that?
Burre was ill,
he'd been sick before.
What?
He was ill,
he'd been sick before.
Did you use these words?
I didn't mean it that way.
They'll say he had
a heart condition.
So it's not
the commander's fault.
That's what they'll say.
It'll be hushed up, of course.
Christian,
you've got a visitor.
The sarge owed me a favor
Go on, take it.
Give her one
from me, okay?
I didn't think
they'd let you out.
Sometimes.
You never know.
Why didn't you write?
No news.
Always the same tedium.
You look different.
So do you.
I'm actually studying chemistry.
I don't know what
I'll be able to use it for.
Svetlana has gone to the USSR,
to Lomonosov.
And Siegbert and Verena
have split up.
She applied for an exit visa
and was expelled.
So it goes.
And it seems
you've become cynical.
It's all about power
nothing else.
Go there, do this.
If you don't, we'll destroy you.
Two guys will arrest you.
If you beat them, they send four.
The fifth one
racks the Kalashnikov.
You simply can't win.
Stop it, you scumbag...
- They want to destroy him
- Attacking an officer.
That's not the charge.
They'd have to investigate
- I don't understand
- Vilification will be the only charge.
That's a political offense.
What did he get us into now?
This is Albert Fromme.
- Well, this is a surprise.
- No coin this time, Hannes.
Nobody came.
I waited for three hours,
and nobody came. The bastards!
It'll probably be a Paragraph 220.
Public vilification.
Vilifying the state order, organs
institutions, or organizations
or their activities and policies.
It could mean
up to three years in prison.
I've got some awards here.
Testimonials, certificates.
For effort at the socialist school
Free German Youth, the Pioneers.
Socially conscious.
"He's a valuable member
of the class collective."
A medal for protecting socialism
as a member of the FGY collective.
That's something.
These are good arguments.
And we'll mention them,
of course.
In the name of the people
According to Paragraph 220
Section I
the accused are found guilty
of public vilification
and sentenced
to 20 months' imprisonment.
The period in pretrial detention
is taken into account.
The remaining period of imprisonment
must still be served.
Cristian Hoffmann's study permit
at Karl Marx University is revoked.
The convicted prisoners
must pay for the trial.
Pick up your stuff
and head for your quarters.
I can't go on, Richard.
I can't go on.
I don't know what
will become of Christian, of us.
I simply can't go on.
I know you have a daughter
with the Dean's secretary
Lucie, a little girl. Very sweet.
You cheated and lied for years.
And what about you?
- What about you and Sperber?
- Sperber and me?
Even you can't sink this low
- I'm glad you're here.
- What's wrong?
He went to his room
and won't respond.
The emergency doctor says
his pulse and breathing are normal.
It's been announced.
Kohler will take over the clinic
when Müller retires.
Doctor?
Your wife is here.
Thank you.
Good evening.
What are you doing here?
- We had an appointment
- Oh. I'm sorry.
No one wants to appeal.
They all say it's hopeless.
I...
I'm at my wits' end.
Change what you can change,
accept what you can't change,
and learn to tell the difference.
You can't maneuver through life
that way.
Ulrich filed a complaint.
He may lose his position as manager.
What good does it do anyone?
It won't get any better.
Yes, it will get better.
Won't you come
to the church reading after all?
How's Christian?
"Dear Mom.
For our socialist reeducation,
Stefan and I are
at Schwedt Petrochemical."
Terminate nighttime rest!
"Woken a four.
Early sports and morning wash."
Line up!
"With the convoy
to the early shift at 4.
12 hours of work,
and then back.
For the first time in my life,
I'm really working... at an electrode oven.
Feeding it coke and burnt lime.
At first I behaved like a fool,
but I'm better now."
The brigadier said they're shorthanded,
they need us more than we need them.
I negotiated some bonuses.
Black, of course.
"12 hours at the oven.
24 run offs per shift,
if nothing happens.
Such as lumpy carbide
or pollution clogging the oven."
Ever seen an elephant piss?
The clown underneath
wasn't laughing anymore.
"I've met great people here.
I've never felt better.
At last I feel useful.
I almost feel proud.
These are simple, honest men.
You don't have to live
with your head bowed.
invisible like dust.
I'm glad I don't have to wonder whether
what I do makes any sense or not.
Dear Mom, I'm thinking of you.
Your Christian."
"Your Christian."
- They banned Eschschloraque.
- At our theatre?
- He raved and blamed the director.
- Can you hold this?
- Firmly.
- It's as hard as a rock.
I'll never crack it.
It's a parable.
Put a GDR flag on it.
I give up.
One incident and you'll go back
where you came from.
Understood?
Fall out!
Barracks 4.
This is Stefan, I'm Christian.
From Schwedt.
This is our last stretch.
We don't want trouble,
we won't make any. That's all.
Schwedt? Really?
I had to have Richard committed.
Is it true what they say about him?
You're looking well.
Better than I feared.
You don't have to worry about me.
I'll finish my last year,
then it'll be fine.
When I finally get out,
I'll join the circus again.
But you know what I'll do first?
Get properly laid.
Two in one go, preferably.
The magician has twins.
Blondes from Ukraine, with endless legs.
Maybe he'll give them to me
as a kind of welcome.
- Dream on, but quietly.
- Why? Got a hard-on already?
Man, Schwedt was
a lot more exciting.
Shut up,
you day-shift jerks!
Hello. Welcome, Mr. Rohde.
Let's wait
about three minutes,
and then we'll begin.
Before we begin, let me say
I notice a lot of new faces.
- I'd like to know who's in visiting whom.
- Who cares?
It's fair to ask
if there are people here
who forced us
to gather like this.
- Because they won't publish us.
- I don't think Rohde refused your book.
That was decided elsewhere.
Okay, I'm sorry.
This dialogue takes place
during a process of mutual learning.
And, as every one of us knows
it is by no means limited
to the election campaign.
We have made our choice
once and for all.
And on May 7,
we will confirm it again.
Socialism on Germain soil.
Learning from the Soviet Union
means learning to win.
Glastnost and perestroika.
Never before has the language
of the occupiers been this warm.
Let's respond to the charges
in the East.
To the thaw and the transformation.
In the polling booths.
Let's make the dream
of our great poet come true.
of freedom and of life.
The only is deserving
who every day
must conquer them anew.
I want to see
that teeming crowd
to stand on freedom's soil
with people who are free.
80 percent in our district voted yes.
Only 80 percent.
They're cheating.
The election is rigged!
They're screwing the people!
Come on, take the pamphlets,
we're going out.
Call the others.
Pick up the pamphlets,
we'll hit the streets.
This is crazy.
- Anne...
- I'm coming.
We're going out into the streets.
We've called the others.
You're back.
What's going on here?
A lot has happened.
I dreamed about you.
About what happened
at the clinic.
- You saved me after the accident.
- The doctors saved you.
I was looking at your cleavage
all the time.
I was crazy about you.
And you blushed.
You'd cheated death.
and jumped right
back into life,
full speed ahead.
I love you.
You only love yourself.
You love the image
you created of yourself,
of me,
of Christian.
You were never interested
in anyone else.
No, Richard.
You're the most selfish person
I've ever met.
Don't wait for me.
Hundreds of GDR citizens
fled to Austria by way of Hungary.
Barsano has to say something now.
They can't ignore it.
If they want to go,
let them go.
Let them go.
I won't shed a tear
over them.
The traitors.
I saw you at the church.
They want to betray
everything I hold sacred.
Power was paid for dearly
in blood.
You can't just let go of it.
What will people do
with their freedom?
What the aristocracy, their models,
liked most was to go hunting.
The little people have their own hunt.
They go fishing.
What do you achieve
with a revolution?
You create more anglers,
that's all.
Please excuse me.
I've had enough.
GDR citizens who sought sanctuary
at embassies abroad,
are allowed to go.
Foreign Minister Genscher himself
told the 3,555 refugees in Prague.
You have to publish
your new text.
If necessary,
in the West.
I can't take it to my contact.
Berlin is off limits.
I... I can take care
of that for you.
Have you heard?
They're letting them leave.
Yes, I've heard.
It's my only copy.
I know.
- I must be crazy.
- Me too.
All refugees at the embassies
will travel to West Germany by
East German trains through GDR territory.
It's still unclear whether they'll take
the Dresden or Bad Brambach line.
Radebeul.
That's near Dresden,
isn't it?
Karl May was born there.
Do you think
anyone's interested?
--
Can I see your ticket, please?
- It was already checked three--
- Don't make trouble, friend.
Open your suitcase.
What's this?
Pamphlets?
I'm going to a conference
in the capital.
How often do I have to tell you?!
The Culture Secretary wants
the manuscript tomorrow morning.
Thank you.
Do you happen to know
when the train leaves?
We don't know anything.
Hey Nina!
Anne!
- Where are you going?
- To see the trains from Prague.
- Come on down.
- Out on the street.
Out on the street!
Out on the street!
Comrades, you'll cover the rear
of the People's Police.
You won't let the counterrevolutionaries
march through this city.
Today, you're at the frontline, defending
against revanchism and war.
Of course, Comrade.
I understood that already.
As you ordered.
They don't want
to give up control.
To set an example.
Sovereignty.
Do the trains have
to come through here?
People will try to board them.
Clear the station.
- You'd better get out of here.
- Will there be a train to Berlin?
Watch out,
enemies of the people!
We want out!
We want out!
Give it back!
Give that to me!
We want out!
We want out!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
We're staying here!
Put on a splint
and take her to X-ray.
What's keeping the compresses,
damn it?
- Meno?
- I've got a ticket to Berlin
I'm allowed to be here.
A dog bite.
When did you get
your last tetanus shot?
Look at me.
Your last shot?
Get some salt.
He needs water.
Meno, give me the papers
Let go.
I'll keep them for you.
You'll get them back, I promise.
No one will hurt you here.
Relax.
No violence!
No violence!
Nina!
No. Stop it!
Stop it.
Mom!
Leave her alone,
you bastards!
Leave her alone!
Leave her alone!
- Christian!
- Mom!
Comrade Hoffmann,
can you hear me?
Comrade Hoffmann,
do you want to tell me something?
Only two months to go.
He could stay at the barracks.
Office duty.
If you take responsibility.
Hoffmann, you're on office duty
until further notice.
You too, Kretzschmar.
don't let him out of your sight.
We're not like this at all.
There's nothing to see here.
As the Interior Ministry announced,
the cabinet of the GDR has decided
that until suitable arrangements
have been made
there will be temporary measures
for travelers and emigrants from the GDR.
One: The decree
of November 30, 1988
concerning GDR citizens
traveling abroad.
will not be applied anymore until
the new traveler laws are implemented.
Two: The following
interim regulations
for travelers leaving the GDR
will be implemented.
Private journeys abroad
can be applied for without conditions
such as family circumstances.
The appropriate visa departments
of the People's Police are instructed
to promptly grant visa
for permanent departure.
The former conditions for permanent
departure no longer apply.
Permanent departure can take place at
all border crossing points of the GDR.
This cancels the temporary issuing
of appropriate permits
by foreign embassies of the GDR
or the permanet departure from the GDR
by way of third-party states.
What did I tell you?
Aren't they pretty, those little dolls?
Look at them.
I'll be seeing you.
One, two, three...
I got your enrollment papers.
Meno helped me.
You can start studying.
Tomorrow, next week,
whenever you want.
Thanks, that's sweet.
Come here, you.
Mom...
I've always done
what you wanted.
Dad, these people here...
think I have
to go on alone now.
I'll be in touch.
Have a safe trip home.