This is my world.
Old Bavaria Cafe.
I wait on tables from 8 to 3.
At 8 I'm alert.
At 11 tired, at 1 sagging and at 3 exhausted.
But home is near.
At Oranienburg Gate.
Think I was born in Old Bavaria?
No.
I had big ideas.
Slavic Studies.
High school taught me all I needed to know.
Why Pavlov's dogs slobber.
Why Revisionism swamped the 2nd International.
What sodium bicarbonate is for, besides heartburn.
But that wasn't enough.
I was waylaid.
- What's today's date? - The 18th.
In Russian.
Climb stairs.
Knock.
Knock on the door.
Open up!
Don't be so sassy.
- Miss Morzeck? - Yes.
Good afternoon.
Who are your brother's friends?
- Why? - Your brother was arrested.
- Come on in, please. - That's what I get for raising orphans.
- Aunt Hete! - Can you name names?
Now it dawns... They don't know much.
Trouble is, I don 't either.
- Theft? - No.
Was he in West Berlin often?
- I don't know. - He rarely slept here.
Your brother is 20.
He has his whole life to live.
But he's mixed up in a mess.
We have to check him out.
Dieter is a fast mover.
Too fast for these times.
- He was easy going. - A junior activist.
We know that. What else?
You don't want to help us?
Sometimes he gave us a few marks, not much.
Think about it, Miss Morzeck.
If you have anything to say call Comrade Bartsch.
- Good-bye. - Good-bye.
A court is imposing. Cold and neat.
Makes you feel like a defendant.
- Hi, sis. - No talking.
Aunt Hete wasn't phased.
She was glad Dieter wasn't a thief, thought espionage was the charge.
And spies wear tuxedos, making them high class.
She 's kind of naive.
The 2nd Criminal Chamber of Berlin Municipal Court
hears Case II-374.1 today, July 18, 1961.
The accused Dieter Morzeck.
The charge is inciting subversive activity.
Chief Justice Paul Deister.
Justices Renate Neber and Wolfgang Bechler.
Prosecutor Hoppe. Defender Krüger.
The court is in session. Any motions?
- Yes. - Prosecutor?
To serve state security I move the public be ejected.
Objections? Other motions? None.
Motion sustained.
The public is excluded.
Spectators will leave the courtroom.
Come, you two.
Come along now, ladies. Don't make us wait.
- But... - No fuss.
Why us, the family?
- Aren't the other 20 spectators too? - They're invited.
- By who? - Lady...
- Who issues invitations? - If you don't have one yet, you won't.
- Come quietly. - The defendant is my nephew.
- Watch what you say. Want trouble? - Come on.
Three years for subversive activity.
Article 19, Paragraph 1 and 2.
He'll sure get ants in his pants.
Surprise No. 2:
A new gym teacher six months before graduation.
The guy giving me the eye. We all fell in love.
But he eyed me of all people.
Dumb luck!
Now legs away and...
Better not let your hair down.
Girls over the horse.
Go!
He didn't coax a girl to bed.
He threw her on it.
I hear police records have a special file containing notorious unsolved crimes.
Ulli should be at the top of the list.
I wasn't his only victim.
But I thought it was love.
- That's the way it has to be. - Morzeck to the principal.
Now I'm in for it.
My goose is cooked.
Maybe he'll be lenient on me, a poor orphan.
Have a seat, Morzeck.
You asked to be excused all day on the 24th.
Yes, to visit my brother.
- Where is he? - Doing time in Brandenburg.
How long will he be doing...
- Staying? - Another 30 months.
Why did he do it?
What?
Commit his crime. You condemn his deed, don't you?
I don't know what he did.
Where's your faith in our courts?
It was in the newspaper.
College entrance requires aptitude plus attitude.
So do national scholarships. Don't be surprised if...
Your brother has his life ahead of him.
- I know. - So do you.
- Is there any connection? - None.
Go back to class.
I accept your excuse.
Suspicion.
Where do great comrades get great suspicions?
Is he Mr. Socialism?
Ulli?
- Were you ever alone for long? - What do you mean?
What I said.
Oh, I see.
Last year I was under water for 40 minutes.
I mean for several years.
Alone for three years.
Mary, what's the matter?
With nobody to talk to.
- Nobody to ask what to do next. - What to do next?
Leave me alone.
I'll show you what's next.
No embraces.
I know.
No talking about the case.
No photos.
- Tell me about it. - About what?
- Got a guy? - No.
He wasn't the right one.
A gym teacher. I dumped the jerk.
- How's Aunt Hete? - Okay, except for her swollen legs.
- Have enough money? - Just about.
- How's school going? - Good.
- Graduating? - In June.
- What then? - Slavic Studies.
- Russian? - To be an interpreter or travel agent.
- Like it here? - It's a health resort.
- Cut the jokes! - Yes, sir.
When do we apply for a pardon?
- It's too early. - Where do we send it?
Berlin Municipal Court. Remember two names.
Prosecutor Hoppe.
And Judge Deister, got it?
- Hoppe and Geister. - Not Geister! Deister.
Deister.
Tell me, Dieter...
Did you really do it?
Subversion.
Three years for stealing apples?
- Aunt Hete says hello. - You almost forgot the main thing.
Sorry, but time is up.
Karl, take care of yourself. Stay healthy.
I'll be back next week.
Next time you visit make a list of what you want to talk about.
Time is money.
Our school passed out concert tickets once a month.
Aunt Hete gave me the dress.
The material to sew it, I mean.
Mother's shoes.
With inserts to make them fit.
I wanted to pick up your watch, but it's on a line.
- Thanks. - I didn't see the chain.
Buy glasses, grandpa.
Stop it.
Excuse me.
I wonder... If I ever met that guy again...
I don't know.
I'd dangle the watch again.
Drats! My garter belt itches.
If I could only go somewhere.
To the powder room.
On the Black Sea.
As a stewardess, with my Russian.
Interpreting is better.
I'd get out of here and see the world.
College first.
Most of my classmates are in.
They need an electronic brain for my application.
Six weeks later the rejection came.
Dear Miss Morzeck: We regret to inform you...
- More wine? - Haven’t we met before?
At the senior citizen bal I.
Miss!
Check, please.
There you go.
- Keep it. - Smoke?
I don't smoke. Thanks.
Need stockings? I can go to West Berlin.
- Studying central planning? - In Karlshorst.
- You have a lot to learn. - Miss, another bottle.
- When are you off? - At 3, why?
- I'll wait and we'll go home together. - Sorry, my parents are here.
More seltzer.
- You're a doll. - Then we can get married.
Everyone on business in Berlin comes here.
To sow wild oats.
They write postcards home and give me 10 marks.
For every day the Lord hath made I could go home with five.
To their bachelor's quarters.
In six months of waitressing 1,000 propositions.
But I'm impregnable.
I ought to sleep with them and get them off my back.
They don 't care about my straight B's.
Should I say I'm blacklisted because my brother's a jailbird?
What do they care?
Mariechen.
Tell me, do you still like working in Old Bavaria, honey?
Work's work.
It's time to talk about certain things you should know.
- Like what? - You're out in the world.
You're 19 already.
And the world out there
is full of men.
- I know. - You don't want a baby, do you?
No, you have to be careful.
You already know?
The basics.
Who told you?
Miss Hartung, our biology teacher.
In school from a single woman! What's the world coming to?
- Bye. - Now where?
To the court to inquire about pardons.
Stop!
I've seen you before.
Thanks, Renate.
- Bye. - Bye.
Where is your watch, and the chain?
- Stolen at the pool. - The lovely watch?
- What were you doing here? - Inquiring.
- Bye. - Do you have to go?
- Shopping. - Can't you postpone it?
If it isn't urgent. It's such a nice day.
I didn't introduce myself. Deister's my name.
Paul Deister.
- What's your name? - Deister, and yours?
Maria. Excuse me.
Cheers.
There's no way out now. Now he has me.
Why is he chasing me?
Did he recognize me?
No, he wouldn't be here.
My knees are knocking. I'd like to shed my skin.
I'll say my family is delinquent.
Then he'll get off my back fast. And Dieter?
If it were the other way around?
Should I risk it?
It's a chance of a lifetime.
Why did you run away?
- Nobody picks me up on the street. - It wasn’t a street.
Not in the hallway either.
But we're old acquaintances.
I hunted for you everywhere after the concert.
Honestly.
Believe me.
- Things like that don't happen. - Yes they do.
Aren’t you freezing?
No, I don't need gloves.
Take my hand.
It's very warm.
Can you feel it?
Enough is enough!
It's only the beginning.
Wear a scarf tomorrow too.
- Why? - Because we're going for a walk.
I'll put boots on too.
Did I tell you I wanted to commit suicide when I was young?
I hung up a clothes line from a window and put my head through the noose
and waited for my parents.
I was going to jump out the window. But they didn't come.
I got a book, slipped into the noose and sat in the window.
Dad returned and said, "What are you doing??"
- "Taking my life." - "Supper is first."
"Ground lung."
Those were the days.
In school they told us we were living in exciting times.
What do you mean by that?
I have an aunt.
What about parents?
They're dead.
No other kin?
One.
- A brother. - I see.
My aunt's name is Hete.
- Do you have any aunts? - Lotte in Schwerin.
- Schwerin? - That's where I was born.
Excuse me.
- Why? - I'm cross-examining.
Why not? I'm enjoying it.
What's in it for you?
I don't know myself.
What can I give you? A waitress, average looks.
And you are a big shot.
Leave that out of it.
Nothing but the truth.
- Know what? - What?
- You're normal. - Is not being nuts special?
It sure is.
Do you only deal with nuts?
What about Aunt Hete?
Aunt Hete was married to an amateur painter.
Her portrait is on a closet door.
As a little girl with a pug nose and braids.
That was her heyday.
What's the matter?
You think the time when you love is the prime of life?
Yes, I believe loving someone is the essence of living.
I'll drive you home.
It's yours.
Take it.
Hello.
I poured me a shot to drown the sadness.
We could open Dieter's letter.
Will you be able to read it?
We were going to wait for the bells.
Dear Aunt Hete, dear Maria.
It is almost Christmas.
And we can 't be together.
Last week they pulled one of my molars.
The gum is still sore.
You can imagine...
Is he married?
He must be.
Who else could the gift on the back seat be for?
Yeah, but he 's a nice guy.
Real nice.
What's wrong, kitty?
Drink some black coffee.
That was some crowd!
But some of them were tippers.
Why pass up the New Year's Eve business tonight?
Inge will take my tables.
You must have invited a firecracker home.
That him?
Cold, isn't it?
I'll get some coal.
- Get some water for tea. - Water, coming right up.
Maria.
Marika.
Rika.
Rike.
Know how my grandmom woke me?
"Rike, up, larks are chirping." My answer:
Let 'em chirp, let 'em peep. I'm in my nest and wanna sleep.
Hmm, I see my stories don't interest you today.
We're staying.
Until next year.
Maria?
First you let me sit a while.
Then take me in your arms.
Then I have to sleep.
I'm home at last.
Read it and you'll know
who I am.
What's the idea?
- You should read it. - I know who you are.
No, read it.
Deister, Paul.
Occupation: Judge.
Married.
Now what?
Put more coal on.
Please.
I should go home now.
It's my last chance.
Why did he show me his ID card?
It was superfluous.
Is he afraid of his wife? Or of me?
- Rike, I just wanted... - Drop it.
Try to understand.
I'm tired.
I worked all night.
I want to lie down.
Now I'm awake.
Is it 1962?
In a minute.
It can't be true.
It's not real.
Who is he?
Paul?
Or Dieter.
Bombard me.
I love you.
I can 't help it, Dieter.
I love him.
Him!
The guard was supposed to tell you he's busy.
- Yes, I know. - What do you want?
- To tell him something. - Not now.
I'll wait.
Comrade, a citizen to see you.
- Name? - Morzeck.
- Okay. Put her on.
Right away.
- Here he is. - Thanks.
- Hello, it's Morzeck. - What can I do for you, Miss?
I wanted...
I didn't want to interrupt the meeting.
Just to say I can't keep the appointment.
Sorry to hear that. Why not?
- I have to take a trip. - Where?
- Brandenburg. - A lucky coincidence.
- How's that? - I have to go there too.
I'll pick you up at work at 10 tomorrow.
Okay.
Anything else?
- Okay then. Bye. - Good-bye.
Where?
You know where.
I 'm going your way all the way.
- Now... - Don't worry about me.
They know me here.
I don't follow you.
Go ahead.
How long have you known?
The day we left the courthouse you introduced yourself.
And then I remembered your voice.
Why didn't you say anything?
You put me in a tough position.
- I ran away. - But you knew.
On New Year's Eve.
You overestimate my influence.
Trouble is, I love you.
I love you.
I love you too.
I love you.
I really love you very much.
Really.
I'm a jerk.
A real jerk.
I know what my name is. Try helping me.
Maria, Maria!
How did it happen?
Take your coat off.
Come on, sit down.
Why don't you give me a kiss? It's not contagious.
Tell me, Rike, what's the matter with you?
Don't be afraid.
- It concerns only me. - Really?
Look at this.
- A nice back. - Really?
The doctor says it's spondylitis.
I need vitamins. Oranges, lemons.
Shelves for them are bare so it's parsley, buckthorn, Multivit.
Fresh air and dry heat.
You want to compare?
Don't you see anything?
- No. - Look closer.
Really, I can't see a thing.
God, are you blind? You must see something.
Are you the doctor?
- Yes, I... - He's a kind of chiropractor.
- We had to talk. - Body language.
We could send Maria to Breganz to recover.
I have a cottage there.
Six weeks sick leave.
Or 26 if I play my cards right.
Six months off.
Summer included.
What's Aunt Hete say?
Don't sow, don't reap. Only eat a heap.
I'm going to relish it. No more "Cognac, baby."
"Check please, cutie." "Doll, another bottle."
Paul arranged everything.
I never felt better than now when I'm sick.
You owe me 150 marks.
- What for? - A fine. Four days here unregistered.
I suppose you're the town crier.
No, ma'am, I 'm the mayor.
- Anything wrong with that? - Yes.
- You related to Deister? - I'm his cousin.
I'm recuperating here.
- What ails you? - Spondylitis.
Our captain had that too.
- Captain? - I trained as a seaman.
Kicked out of school for color blindness. The Party wanted me to sail ashore.
Oh, well, I'm off. Stop by my office tomorrow then.
I n the evening?
I wait for the sun to set.
Sometimes a motorcycle goes by.
Or someone closes a window.
There's a bird on the roof who goes like this.
It's a warbler.
Why not brush up on Russian?
Then you could help me.
Look.
Sovietskaya Yustitsiya.
By the time it's translated it's old hat. I'll give you 15 marks a page.
- You're crazy. - That's the going rate.
Have a look.
This, for example.
- "Personality of the offender." - I need that bad, but only the gist.
- Leave out the "world situation" bunk. - So that's bunk.
Well, I just meant...
He says he needs me.
He not only needs to get in my pants. He needs my work.
That makes me feel equal.
He loves me like a real man a real woman.
Sovietskaya Yustitsiya may teach me how to write an appeal for pardon.
Esteemed Sir: No good.
Your Honor: Not right.
Superior Court:
Su... per-i-or Court:
I wish to remind you that my brother has done half his time.
Come in.
How about "his stint"? His term!
- Am I in the way? - Take a seat. I wish to...
- Can you write a plea for pardon? - No.
School's no education!
- Who are you? - Edith Grambow.
So you're her!
Mr. Deister told me to deliver milk to his cousin.
- I better run. It's about to rain. - Stay long enough for a cigarette.
Surprised, huh?
- Don't they fit? - Yes, they do.
Been working hard?
- How much did you translate? - This much.
- An advance on my pay. - You're something else!
How long are you staying?
I told you.
No longer?
Rike!
- Not even until Tuesday morning? - I can't.
Do you love me?
I don't know.
Now?
Don't know.
Now?
Don't know.
Now.
Dear Mr. Deister, I must talk to you about my brother.
Chairman, allow me to bring up a point today.
Dear Sir.
Dear Paul.
My dear Paul. You must know what's on my mind.
I'm writing about my brother. You gave him three years.
On Article 19, Paragraphs 1 and 2. You convicted him.
It was you! Do I have to bring it up myself?
I'm writing you about a pardon.
Tell me what to write.
You have to tell me what, Paul. Please tell me.
- Can I have my beer in a glass? - I t makes your hair stand up.
Where I come from we drink beer.
Where's our order?
Helmut, your food order.
Where is the damned guy hiding?
I have to do it all around here.
Schnitzel.
- That went fast. - It's my trade.
- Aren’t you Deister's cousin? - What of it?
Want a part-time job?
Your figure will repair the damage Helmut's big mouth causes.
Three marks an hour and all you can eat.
Weekends off.
I'm staying until Tuesday.
That gives us 72 hours.
How many of them sleeping?
That depends.
Rike, up! Larks are chirping.
Let 'em chirp, let 'em peep. I'm in my nest and wanna sleep.
- M y brother wrote. - Who?
My brother.
What's the idea?
- Are you crazy? - You didn't answer.
Why start that now?
During breakfast.
Are you second-guessing me? You think the verdict was unfair.
I didn't say that, Paul.
Want another roll?
A roll?
Don't you want to return tonight?
What gives you that idea?
It might be better.
Why?
You can't stand it any longer. I'm boring you.
We can go sailing this afternoon.
Somebody drowned in the lake.
A vacationer. Fishermen are searching.
- That's no reason. - For me it is.
I'm in top form today.
Why you?
I have a feeling.
Your wife doesn't mind, does she?
My wife?
If you sleep with me.
She's glad not to see you for a while. You're only visiting a cousin.
I'm only a cousin to you.
Think I like it on the dark side of the moon?
What happens when you show up?
I can't talk to you about Dieter or about you with the neighbors.
I feel like I'm locked up.
Can't we go out dancing?
- Afraid of what people will say? - It's not good for you.
When I want to dance you slip my discs!
- Where did your knee go? - Cousins don't dance with their knees.
Stop the music!
A flourish!
We got him!
- We found him. - Who?
The vacationer who drowned.
You know who he was?
Band, march music.
Play a march.
A non-com.
A non-com!
Non-commissioned officer.
One of your valiant defenders.
Against the evil imperialists.
Finally got one of those pigs.
Justice prevails.
Everybody out!
Ewald, a double shot.
Calm down, people.
Beetz, call the patrolman.
- I'll show you! - Cut it out.
- Ewald, give me a drink. - The cop is out.
- Where is he? - At Ketzow Spring Fair.
There was a brawl there.
Call precinct headquarters.
Helmut, open the door.
I'II throw him out.
Come in.
- Good evening. - Good evening.
- Leaving? - Yes.
- You were in the tavern. - Did you arrest him?
No.
- Please sit down. - Sorry, but it's important.
- Go ahead. - It's lucky you're here.
- We need advice. - Sure.
Mind listening the other way, Miss?
Things have been changing lately. Like the Judicial Reform Act.
Just between us comrades
we see things different now than 10 years ago.
- Certainly. - We're more thorough.
More cautious and selective.
- Then I'll reply as a comrade. - Please do.
The new law is no license for enemies.
- Right. - An enemy is still an enemy.
I'm not sure if Grambow is one.
You aren't sure?
How long can you wait to make sure?
Until he burns your barn or blows up the bridge?
- The evidence is clear. - He slandered the army.
That's not enough?
A man from your town enters a bar and attacks our People's Army.
You don't know what our army is for.
I was in it for three years.
And you, a veteran, let them sling mud at our troops?
I won't let them.
You wanted my opinion.
That and a little more.
He must be arrested at once. It's your duty to inform the police.
I don't know.
Ignorancia non est argumentum.
- Huh? - Ignorance is no proof.
Listen, Comrade. We aren't on the moon.
It's 40 km to Berlin. We read the papers.
I don't know Latin. But I know German and how to think.
- Like a socialist, I hope. - There you go.
Grambow was always a good egg.
He does cheat on his wife.
But that's our national pastime now.
If you jail Grambow it's an outsider mixing in local politics.
You're not the national guard. Cracking down is child's play.
I know.
Where's the guarantee Grambow won't slash tires next?
- Where? I'm asking you! - I don't have any.
But I know people here.
Better since this evening.
I'm not jailing on suspicion of enmity.
An innocent man in jail
is more dangerous than a suspect on the loose.
A moot question at the moment.
If you are so sure
I'll invite you as a witness to our town meeting.
You can't summon me.
I said "invite". A mayor can invite anyone.
Army personnel and farmers.
- And you still need me? - You are the expert here.
Your intervention prevented a brawl.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
- What do you think? - Me?
You saw everything.
I don't know Grambow.
Exactly.
We don't know people near enough.
Locking Grambow up is no help.
You can't stop it. He'll be locked up! His wife will visit him in Brandenburg.
That's exactly what will happen. I'm an expert on that.
Thanks. It was nice talking to a real expert.
Bye.
Are you in pain?
Why are you crying?
Going to beat me?
Hit me if you want. Add injury to insult.
- How's that? - Yes.
What is it?
Don't forget the Bench.
The meeting is in session.
- Any motions? - Yes.
- Go ahead, Prosecutor. - I move that the public be ejected.
Objections? Other motions? None. Motion sustained.
The public is excluded.
Spectators will leave the courtroom.
Please stop smoking.
We are dealing with last Sunday's incident.
The court comes to the people.
Stop banging.
Come on out, court's in session.
The lay accuser is Comrade Major Helmrich.
From the National People's Army.
Lay defender is Fishing Cooperative Chair,
Herbert Wolf.
The Workforce is represented by Mayor Schwandt.
It's a full house.
Get ready. We'll be needed.
Can you sign for the sausage?
Count them, Maria.
Okay, okay. Two, three, six, seven, ten.
- There you go. - Thanks.
One for daddy.
One for mommy.
- One for granny. - One idiot.
Three, five, eight.
Witness Maria Morzeck.
- Take off the apron, witness. - I'm not testifying on this.
The court doesn't want an accusation. It wants an account from an outsider.
They're waiting for you.
Go!
Tell us what happened here.
Grambow had one too many.
- He was drunk. - And?
He said a non-com drowned.
Everybody laughed.
Yes, you all laughed.
Grambow couldn't take it.
He said they should all get out.
- Who should? - Everybody.
He told you all to go home.
Beetz was mad about that so he threw Grambow out.
That's not getting us anywhere.
Were you here Sunday?
Yes.
Why try to fool us?
No! You seriously think 100 people are here
because one guy asked them all to go home?
Do you know why we are here?
To establish the truth. The whole truth and nothing else.
Take a note of that.
Now you are dismissed.
I don't want to step on any toes, but...
I'd like to tell Comrade Major a story.
I'm listening.
Every fishing brigade has a spawning ground.
Fish need peace too.
We chase all intruders away.
But on spring maneuver your engineers found
an ideal spot for a pontoon bridge!
Grambow Brigade's spawning ground.
When was that?
April.
Grambow didn't catch anything all year long.
- Why didn't you... - Talk it over with him?
When Grambow protested they wanted to capsize him.
Where is the letter he wrote to us?
Show me a carbon copy.
- There isn't any. - I don't want to harp on it.
Here's what happened Sunday.
They recovered a body that was in the water three days.
They got a little drunk.
And old grudges flared up.
That's no excuse.
It wasn’t supposed to be.
That's one aspect.
I understand that.
But...
What went on here in the hall all evening?
Did you hear Gram bow’s ranting?
- It all happened so fast. - I need to know.
To explain it to the drowned mars comrades.
I pledge 1,000 marks to the cooperative.
T o get off on good behavior?
No!
We won't accept that.
- We'll take two pigs. - Who'll feed them?
- Me, who else? - Your wife will.
She does all the work.
Hey, what's the big idea?
- You had some motive. - How many years did he get?
Ninety days, suspended.
What?
- No prison term? - No.
He was slapped with 100 units of work.
Good behavior paid in kind.
My brother got three years and he goes free.
Explain that
Maybe I'm nuts, but...
Spit it out. Yeah, I'm nuts too.
I don't believe people can't be made human.
It's easy as pie to trip others up.
And damned hard to help them.
Your foolish lies make it harder.
Lying won't free your brother or win me over!
Lies won't help?
Do you want to hear the truth? From me of all people?
You could have heard it sooner. Okay, they say,
"To err is human."
But now you get my questions.
Why didn't you tell me the truth?
Now I want to know the truth. The whole truth. Come on, Paul.
Where can I submit a request for pardon?
Right here, Miss.
How did you find me here?
Here.
What did Dieter do anyhow?
- What do you mean by "do"? - What he actually did.
I'd have to get his file.
Was it like Gram bow’s case?
I think so.
Details escape me at the moment but it was repugnant.
You know what Grambow got?
- From the papers. - How do you find it?
- Is that all? - The final word has not been said.
- No contradiction? - Of my charges?
- Between him and Dieter! - Oh, I see.
You stick to your guns on court decisions.
Yes, Rike. We abide by the law.
The law of 1960 or the law of 1970?
- Look closely. - Paul, what is law and order?
- A profound question. - It was supposed to be.
Want me to give a lecture?
Please do.
Law.
Law was always a subject of debate. Between positive and natural law.
Or between law and justice.
It's really splitting hairs since...
Hello.
Sorry to interrupt, Comrade Deister, but I need the room.
- Sure, but... - Try Room 311.
Rigmarole.
Each ruling class sees its positive law as natural law, divine providence.
- Do we too? - With more justification.
- Justice again. - A working-class majority...
But compare Dieter with Grambow, knowing it was only two years ago.
Our world changed.
- Our law is the same. - Two years ago the border was open.
The other side hastened to exploit every weakness, gap and hesitation.
To harass us, provoke us and stir up unrest.
Every nag and faultfinder not to mention "enemy"
was a western bridgehead.
They're the same. We're stronger.
- So it was correct? - What?
- My brother's three-year sentence. - Absolutely.
- It was correct and necessary. - And it was just?
Naturally. Why are you harping on it?
Is it my fault we can be more lenient now?
- A lot has changed. - Who? You?
The circumstances.
- The border sealed. A sound economy. - Right.
If you mean life is more normal.
You see? That's what I mean.
What are you doing here? I see.
- My room is taken. - Sorry, Comrade,
I have to process my mail.
No, Paul, that's only half of it.
You talk to me like on a first date.
- You're hiding something. - Why should I?
You don't trust me.
Who do you trust? Your wife?
- I'm sorry. - I told you everything I know.
But is all you know the whole truth?
- Yes. - No.
Truth is: Dieter's in Brandenburg. I've been asking why 18 months.
You sent us out of the courtroom. We don't know what he violated.
- Why three years? - Quiet.
The defender is a jerk. Why admit you pay 60 marks alimony?
- I was on the spot. - Why speak up so late?
Your new question gets the answer I just gave you.
The Judicial Reform Act...
It's not right to talk to me this way.
Each word is a wedge between us. I'm too weary to interrupt you.
I should get up and tell you you are deceiving yourself.
I understand your arguments but I don't understand you anymore.
If you were a chance acquaintance! But you are the chance of a lifetime.
The man I love.
Whenever I think of you I see your face over the blue sweater.
I hear your bedtime voice say, "Rike".
- You can't blame us! - Shut up!
- I don't understand a word. - What do you expect me to say?
Let's skip it. I 'm going.
We'll talk it all over Saturday.
No, Paul.
It's no use.
Don't go to Breganz again.
Maria, get off. Please get off the bus.
You 're going the wrong way.
Get off.
He'll come. He has to!
Has to explain everything.
If he comes Saturday everything will be all right.
What are you doing here?
I live here.
I'm Gabriele Deister.
Dr. Merkel here wants to buy the house.
- Hello. - Hello.
I'm Maria Morzeck.
- Pleased to meet you. - She keeps an eye on the house.
Are the cherries all picked?
Coffee?
- One of us will have to fetch water. - We have tap water now.
It's real cozy here.
Real cozy.
- Why not use the electric mill? - Hand-ground coffee is better.
- You have a rifle? - It even shoots.
Five.
God, she's a cool customer.
She knows what she wants.
That's what Paul can't stand.
- Eight. - Your turn.
I'll do business with your husband.
Naturally.
Four.
These shoes are a handicap.
- One for me and then two for you. - Watch out, Miss.
T en.
It's hard to kill with an air rifle.
A hit between the eyes might work.
If I say a word, she'll shoot.
The snake here is her.
The rabbit is me.
What's the punishment for involuntary manslaughter?
Article 222. A prison term for sure.
Bang, bang, you're dead.
- You forgot to cock it. - And you look a little pale.
- Come on inside now. - Okay.
Your husband raved about this place.
You've been here on holidays?
- This year we do Mamaia. - Got reservations?
- For the entire month of August. - Sounds great.
Isn't that in Romania?
Excuse me. That's my car.
- We'll come to terms. - Can't stay?
- I have to run. Bye, Miss. - I'll see you to the car.
Thank you.
How long have you and Paul been acquainted?
Listen to me. We won't make it hard on ourselves.
I don't want to hear how often you slept with him.
I have another concern.
Paul committed suicide.
I don't believe that.
He didn't die.
No corkscrew?
How did he do it?
With pills.
They had to pump them out of his stomach.
His colleagues think it was a heart attack from overwork.
They saved him, and he can get up tomorrow.
Now you know why he isn't coming.
Where did it happen?
Spare me the details.
We both know Paul well.
Know all his secrets?
Let 'em chirp, let 'em peep.
At least we can share his secrets.
We can't do anything about that.
I didn't think you'd be so young.
- How old are you? - I'm nineteen.
Nineteen.
He brought an alarm clock.
Very practical.
- Did he want to die? - What does "want to" mean?
How come he's alive?
Wish he were dead?
Too few tablets or found too soon?
- Whatever... - Which?
Too few tablets. Isn't that enough for you?
- No gas outlet and no noose around? - Don't be so vicious.
Men like Paul don't take their own life.
Think you know him better than I?
He's my husband, you know.
Take his car keys, wallet and ID.
You can keep him, your husband!
I was afraid of that.
- I didn't think it would be this hard. - What?
- Got a job? - I'm a waitress.
Are you sick?
I'm okay, just wondering...
Don't let my job get you down.
A waitress has arms, legs and boobs.
Ain't I a good match for your husband?
Think he came to read me stories?
Why did he fake suicide at your place?
He never did it with me.
I'm sorry, I apologize.
What's so hard for you?
Why did you come here?
I think...
There's no point now.
I'd like to know.
I ought to be jealous.
Maybe I am. It's normal. Why should I be immune?
Watching every Saturday as my husband leaves for two days.
That's not what I'm here for.
I'm here because I know you underrate Paul.
And are destroying him.
Paul is one of the best jurists in our country.
Yesterday I heard you latched onto him because of a crime in your family.
Keep talking.
Paul has had a few similar cases lately.
They are related to current... changes.
He feels up against a freight train.
He can't go back, can't go ahead. It's not his fault.
He's maneuvered himself into loggerheads with peers.
They think he's hard-hearted, dogmatic. He's nothing of the kind.
Paul could not survive if they ousted him.
Maria, honey, I know it's none of your business.
Why tell me about it?
I have to cope with the fact that Paul and I...
That Paul visits you. And I can handle it.
I know he needs it.
He needs you.
As compensation for me. You understand?
But I must know you tolerate me.
Please stop blowing up the appeal in favor of your brother.
Get the hell out of here.
- Can't you show any respect? - Beat it!
Get going!
- Get a hold on yourself. - Out!
Not that way, friend, not like that!
- Where's Maria? - In the dining room.
You were at my house?
To tell you no more milk. I'm leaving.
This is my last meal here.
And Deister?
You're five months pregnant?
Do you feel anything?
Sometimes I think so.
Maybe it's my imagination.
But Grambow thinks...
Mind if I get the feel?
Is it a good feeling?
Not at first. It makes you faint.
But it gets better.
My breasts are growing too. But that's temporary.
You should have a baby.
First a man.
With your build!
Not any old man.
You'll find the right one.
But not here, Edith.
Hello.
I just returned from Breganz.
Our timing is bad.
Don't bother.
- Your aunt is not home. - I don't want to.
I have to tell you something. But not here in the street.
I know everything.
Not what really happened to me.
Everything has changed for me. You were perfectly right.
I need you now, I...
Without you I can't go forward.
I'll fix everything up, for your brother too.
Rike, up.
Larks are chirping.
I'm giving notice.
- Then what? - I go away somewhere.
Work as a legal counsel.
Want to know why I was so tough on your brother?
To outbid the prosecutor.
The law specifies a minimum penalty.
But I could double the term
if my decision was well founded, based on the crime in a broad context.
Counterrevolution, preparing for war.
Sabotage, subversion.
The prosecutor wanted less?
Yes.
But that's something you'll never understand.
I thought I was doing justice.
I saw your brother as an enemy and treated him accordingly.
That gave me a reputation for toughness and steadfastness.
The reason?
I was afraid I'd be cited for liberalism.
Accused of lack of vigilance.
I had to outbid the prosecutor.
You were right?
But you were unjust?
You were afraid and had to prove yourself?
Isn't it good enough to be good?
I'll try, Rike.
My resignation.
I ask them to let me and your brother off.
- Why give it to me? - Mail it.
You can do it yourself.
We'll be fully honest to each other from now on.
I trust you completely. I yield to your judgment.
- Yes, but. - Recall your appeal for pardon.
My petition will carry more weight.
- What about you? - Are you afraid?
For me?
Don't worry about me.
A new wind is blowing. I'm the first to know.
I'll forge ahead, give it all I have.
The comrades' eyes will pop.
They can't stop me. I'll crusade for truth.
Ruthlessly. That's the ticket, believe me.
You're a rat.
Using my brother again.
He's an opportunity once more. After sacrificing him to your career.
- I don't need your brother. - Oh, yes, you do.
Both him and me.
T o keep my mouth shut while you climb the ladder.
Outbidding the prosecutor. Same ploy, new angle.
In a new situation.
"Conscience-plagued judge resigns."
I'm not going along with it. It's a dirty, small-time trick.
- I'm not your wife. - Rike!
You have to go now, Paul.
Please go.
Go!
- Do you mind? - Not at all.
- Holy mackerel, Mariechen! - Hi, Oskar.
- The manure help? - You be judge.
- Coming back? - No.
Not a certified collective farmer
- Champagne or cognac? - Cognac.
Haven’t we met before?
Tomorrow my brother gets out.
Care to dance?
Want to go somewhere else? It's too slow here.
Your severe spondylitis appears to have disappeared.
Have a look.
My eyes are sharp, but my arms are too short.
Read it.
Tomorrow my brother gets out.
That calls for a drink.
- Bottoms up. - Cheers.
Your watch, Miss.
Dieter.
How's my boy?
You seem glad to see me.
Come on.
What's wrong?
They must have shrunk.
Or I've grown, more likely.
All I wanted was a whiff.
- Take it. - Was that necessary?
Yeah, it was necessary.
Can you get near the Wall?
- Think they'll give you a tour? - We can't stroll on Kurfürstendamm.
- We can see more new buildings here. - Here? What has come over you, sis?
- Why? - Don't scrap, kids. Not today.
Guess what we're eating.
Good, old sweet-sour bean soup.
We had that three days a week.
We goofed again.
Must be Hella. Open the door!
- Is Dieter back home? - Yes.
- Wow, Dieter! - Hi, Hella.
- He could have talked a little first. - Yup.
- Do you know her? - Hella? Yup.
She took care of me while you were away.
She may be a little old for him.
Some nerve!
In my bed!
He wouldn't do that.
Maybe we should go for a walk.
Wouldn't that be impolite?
- We can go back up by now. - One more time around the block.
He's off to a good start.
Let him get it out of his system.
- Where were you going? - To the cemetery.
Come on.
Why do you want to go to the cemetery?
- To Mom. - What on earth for?
I want to tell her everything.
She knows all about it.
The cemetery is closed.
Stop it.
You're slobbering on my collar.
Let's go. Let's buy some beer.
Are you that thirsty?
What's this?
- Stop it. - Okay, I will.
Tell your tale of woe. In chronological order.
Who gave you the watch?
- Forgot his name? - No.
- Spit it out. - Deister.
- First name? - Paul.
Who is he?
Want a punch in the kisser?
- A judge. - A run-of-the-mill judge?
Say, "The one who judged my brother."
- The one who judged my brother. - What's the watch for?
Did you sleep with him?
Yes.
Sold yourself for a watch.
I was in love.
And you aren't anymore? Answer me!
- No. - Because I'm out of jail?
Because you're afraid?
No, I'm still in love with him.
Still?
I still am.
Still.
I still love him.
- Aren’t I your brother anymore? - I love him.
The main idea is keep it cool. The cold eases pain and heals wounds.
- It's easy for you to say. - Don't splash.
Did you iron my suit?
Going out like that?
They can't keep you down.
You'd like that.
No, I'm not taking it lying down.
I'm back on my feet.
You can 't pull wool over my eyes.
I'm no dumb bunny any longer.
I'm a wise old rabbit.
The makeup doesn't help.
- I look like a squashed blood orange. - Not quite that bad.
- Where's Dieter? - In Köpenick job hunting.
- Is he coming back? - What choice does he have?
It was only a question.
Where are you going?
To the university.
I want to talk to them again.
And look for a room.
I can't live with Dieter right now.
- But... - What is it?
Can I leave you here alone?
Go ahead, girl. I understand you.
Go ahead.
You're still my little girl, Maria.
I don't like to rent to ladies. You never know what you get.
It's the same with men.
- What's your line? - Waitress for now.
A smoker! I'll have to take down my drapes.
- Last name. - Morzeck.
- First name. - Maria.
- Date of birth - May 20, 1943.
- Nationality. - German.
- Citizenship. - German Democratic Republic.
- Current occupation. - Server.
- Career goal. - Interpreter.
College of Arts and Sciences.
That takes care of it. Next, please.
Copyright © 1999 TITE LBI LD, Berlin Subtitler: Alan Wildblood et al.