Original subtitles

MAN (on TV): Due to continued violent uprising in townships and union protests,

Cape Town, South Africa, 1986

which threaten the fundamental security of South Africa,

President Botha has extended the state of emergency

until peace and order can be restored,

allowing the president to rule by decree,

impose curfews, limit political gatherings

and heighten the power of the military,

in the best interests of South African citizens.

(TV is turned off, threatening atmosphere)

Not a chance. The trade union is on strike.

Our shipment's stuck in customs. Nothing we can do.

Can we bribe someone?

Not before noon.

(Ventilator-like thumping)

(Percussion added)

What will you do?

Tell DeGraaf the truth.

(Ominous bass and high-pitched sounds)

(Guitar plucking is added)

(Further string instruments and a bell are added)

WOMAN 1: General DeGraaf is waiting for you in plain clothes at Dock 9.

WOMAN 2: Aha.

WOMAN 1: So the South African Army (SADF) is being more careful now?

WOMAN 2: No. Just smarter.

WOMAN 1: This better work, or I'm done here.

♪♪

WOMAN 1: There they are.

(Seagulls)

(Ship horn)

If need be, I'll back us out quickly.

It'll be fine.

(Door closes)

General DeGraaf.

- Good to see you again. - And you.

It's always a pleasure to work with a South African army general.

Unfortunately, there has been a change of plans.

Your shipment arrived this morning. Würfel & Struth's latest technology.

But it's being held in port.

The union is on strike. It's out of my hands.

Have a look.

We coined your delivery

as high-pressure industrial pipes with electronic pressure valves,

so that you're in the clear.

There's no signature from the FRG.

This deal is off the record.

We won't be informing your friends at the United Nations about it,

but the shipment is too big to do without.

Get me the signature of a West German representative.

I'll guarantee the shipment myself.

You? Are you planning to demo the latest technology yourself, are you?

Bring me the correct paperwork and my missiles under your arm, Ms. Neid.

And bring your man from Würfel & Struth to show us how to use them.

That is very difficult.

You're German. What happened to Prussian virtues?

Sanctions or not,

every God-fearing capitalist on earth is ready

to give me killing machines in the name of democracy.

Yours isn't the only offer on the table.

Get back to me in 72 hours,

or I'll go with the Americans.

(Light Tango music and background voices)

You look pale.

It's winter in Germany.

The cold season with snow, remember?

Introduce me to the new Trade Commissioner at the West German Embassy.

Never any foreplay with you...

Who are you reporting to in Berlin?

Annett Schneider.

Annett Schneider.

She can't even tie her own shoes yet.

She gave me a message for you.

From Fuchs. Blow another deal here

and you're coming home. Forever.

I need that Trade Commissioner.

And one more thing: I hate to say it, but... I need a man.

For the Würfel & Struth deal.

No way. I'm here representing West German Parliament!

Not East German intelligence (HVA)!

How about...

No, no way.

So, he's still alive?

("Major Tom Coming Home" by Peter Schilling) ♪ Four, three, two, one ♪

♪ Earth below us ♪

♪ Drifting, falling ♪

♪ Floating weightless ♪

♪ Calling, calling home ♪

♪ Calling, calling home ♪

MAN: Destroy white South Africa

and our influence in the subcontinent of southern Africa

and this country will drift into chaos and poverty

MAN: The situation in South Africa has deteriorated dramatically.

WOMAN: Almost 800 people have died in the struggle so far.

MAN: Many seriously injured people, a burning slum,

20,000 new homeless people...

The most serious clashes the country has experienced

since the State of Emergency was declared...

WOMAN: The harder the police hit back at black protestors,

the worse it is for the apartheid regime's reputation.

RONALD REAGAN: Therefore, I'm signing an executive order

that will put in place a set of measures

designed and aimed against the machinery of Apartheid,

without indiscriminately punishing the people who are victims of that system.

WOMAN: East German president Honecker met with

ANC leader Oliver Tambo for friendly exchange.

East Germany has become identified with a struggle.

HVA - East German Foreign Intelligence Service HQ East Berlin, East Germany

Comrades! I don't have to tell you that our East German Republic

is facing unprecedented economic challenges.

We're deep in debt to the West,

and the East German mark is worthless internationally.

We must bring in hard currency. Or we're doomed, Comrades.

Let me introduce you

to our colleague from Commercial Coordination (KoKo),

Mrs. Dietrich.

Like Marlene.

We've already significantly reduced the average age of this board

with our Young Professionals Program.

Now Mrs. Dietrich will help us to develop a new business initiative.

I like to think of it as a "Special Commission."

Not unlike the classified missions you spies are usually up to.

Our work here will also be classified top secret.

But rather than simply gathering data,

we will look for new ways to turn that data into... profit.

East Germany is expensive. And that's not because we're greedy.

It's because equality is expensive. Our ideals are expensive,

and it's up to government organizations such as ours

to support these ideals efficiently.

Because Moscow is abandoning us?

Comrade...

Schneider.

Comrade Schneider.

If your neighbor decides to tear off her wallpaper,

just for a change of scenery,

does that mean that you do the same?

Well...

I'd only change my wallpaper if...

if I was deeply convinced of the advantages of doing so.

With this Special Commission, the HVA will fund companies

licensed to do business internationally

and bring in new streams of hard currency from abroad.

It sounds like you're talking about Capitalism.

Comrade Schneider!

I'm talking about defending this country by any means necessary.

I'll keep a close eye on the numbers. Be warned: the numbers never lie.

The numbers go up... we survive. The numbers go down... we go under.

(Clinking coffee cups)

Comrade Fuchs, can I speak with you a moment?

Yes.

I don't think we've had the pleasure...

Correct.

See you tomorrow?

Yes, certainly.

Who was that?

Barbara Dietrich from KoKo.

I met her on the South Africa project.

Now we're heading up an integrated business initiative.

She calls it a "Special Commission."

She's very, very efficient.

Efficient.

That means she makes the most of given resources.

Or rather: she achieves defined goals with minimum means.

She'll change East Germany completely.

I see.

I would love to be on this "Special Commission."

Walter, how many times have we been over this?

I had to demote you after...

That was 1983! It's been three years.

(Background voices)

Our country faces grave economic crisis.

I want to be part of the solution!

Please.

Comrade Schneider will head up a pharmaceutical unit.

What?

But I want Comrade Schneider to remain in charge. Got it?

Markus, I recruited Ms. Schneider.

And I promoted her to the inner circle.

Baby steps, Walter.

(His footsteps as he leaves)

♪♪

(Knocking at the door)

Cape Town on the secure line.

(Door closes)

Tell me where you're keeping him.

Who?

Damn it, Walter. This deal is crucial. Our survival depends on it!

I am no longer privy to such important matters, as you know.

But you know where he is.

Let me guess: Mozambique?

Hm?

- Angola? - This is too risky for me.

Have you seen the news?

We can't count on Moscow anymore!

You need this cash from Cape Town.

Glad you're worried about those you left behind.

I live here.

No sun,

no palm trees.

I need him.

We need him.

My success

is your success, Walter.

I'll bring you in from the sidelines. Back into the real game!

I need to think about it.

Think fast.

♪♪

(Tires over gravel)

♪♪

(Foreign men's voices)

♪♪

East German Orphanage, Cuanza Norte, Angola

(Mix of birds and crickets)

(Children's voices and distant piano)

♪♪(Piano)

Martin...

Martin, please.

We sent you here for your own protection.

The only person I've ever needed to be protected from is you!

Where can we speak privately?

Nowhere.

Maybe you haven't noticed yet, but I'm being well guarded here.

Martin!

Come on, play with me.

Wait, Roberto.

No, I have to talk to this lady first.

Who's this?

My aunt.

Aunt from East Germany?

I guess so. I'll be right with you, OK?

That boy speaks terrific German.

All our classes here are in German.

I'm impressed.

You're doing East Germany a great service...

Don't even start!

You just had to lay low for a while.

Three years. I could have done that in Kleinmachnow.

Dangerous people were after you, Martin.

Didn't we build the Wall to keep "dangerous people" out?

What did you expect? You blew your cover as an agent in the West.

I saved all your asses.

The BND, CIA and every secret service in the world was after you,

and frankly, this place is paradise compared to an East German prison.

Paradise? This?

Did Annett send you this?

My mother's letters are forwarded to me.

Your Max is such a sweet boy.

You know him?

I met him once.

Tell me.

Hm.

Well...

he had a blue toy train.

The rails were all over the carpet.

We pretended to travel the Trans-Siberian Railway...

No.

What do you mean, no?

No. You've never met him.

That was my blue toy train.

You and I pretended to travel around the world.

Really?

Could be.

(A child laughs)

Come in, boys.

ROBERTO: Come on, let's play Risiko.

You've no chance this time.

It's more fun with four players.

Want to play? You can have North America.

What?

North America, everyone wants it. Only two borders to defend.

That's why Americans don't understand the world.

They only speak one language, but think they're the best.

You have to conquer as many countries as possible and then defend them.

I'll start.

By rolling the dice.

Red for attack.

Hm.

Give me a six!

I love them.

(Dice being rolled)

Come on, Roberto, get them all.

Any moment now?

I'll take Europe.

Damn it!

Ha! All for me.

I'll take your Afghanistan, Madame.

Fine.

Come to Cape Town with me, Martin.

Roberto?

Keep playing for me and don't lose, OK?

Why?

I need someone I can trust.

Just for a few days.

I've heard that before.

If you'd prefer to stay here, I'll leave you in peace.

I, however, will keep fighting. For our cause.

Fine.

On one condition: I can return to Kleinmachnow, to Max.

Naturally.

I already talked to Fuchs. If all goes to plan,

he guarantees your return to East Germany, with all privileges.

You must really be desperate.

♪♪

When will you be back?

Don't leave me alone again.

We'll write to each other.

I hate you, Martin.

(Doorbell rings)

Kleinmachnow, East Germany

Sorry, we had a big day at the office.

Come in.

Thanks.

He could just sleep here tonight if it helps you, Annett.

But you already have him every Sunday.

I have time for him now.

Yes...

I do have an important meeting tonight.

I was going to bring him with me, but...

Well, then.

Thank you.

♪♪

Cape Town, South Africa

(Airplane landing)

Put this on.

- Why? - Do it.

Pull it low over your face.

♪♪

- You have a driver? - Get in.

Stop.

(Honking)

(Soldiers jabbering)

MAN: Drive on, drive on.

This is Rose Seithathi. Slickest secret operative south of the equator.

I'm a soldier in Nelson Mandela's ANC army, Umkhonto we Sizwe.

We're fighting apartheid in South Africa.

The African National Congress (ANC) is an ally of East Germany.

Our leadership is in prison, like Mandela.

Or in exile in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Europe.

Just a few of us are still in Cape Town, undercover.

We'll join forces to wage revolution.

MARTIN: And what's my role here?

SEID: You'll be a salesman for the West German weapon manufacturer Würfel & Struth.

First for the West German Trade Commissioner,

then for the buyers.

We're selling weapons?

West German weapons? Where'd you get them?

- Let's say they fell off a truck. - Who's the buyer?

SADF. South African army.

The United Nations has sanctions against that!

Yes. That's why they need us. As middlemen.

Wait. In a deal between West Germany and the Apartheid regime?

Between our worst enemies?

And you're in on this?

In support of my East German Comrades.

We need each other.

Again: Why?

Money.

You haven't been home for three years, Martin.

You have no idea how things are in East Germany.

Gorbachev is about to give up on the Warsaw Pact.

We can't pay our debts to West Germany.

We have shortages of meat, coal and even vegetables.

Power outages, scarce medical supplies...

Our state is bankrupt. People are almost starving.

(Distant sirens, honking, etc.)

("Es dunkelt schon in der Heide", German folk song)

Border Restaurant for Western Tourists East Berlin, East Germany

MAN: Abracadabra.

What is that?

A miracle.

Has it been clinically tested at all?

Yeah, on mice.

Then I had the idea to run a human trial over here.

Where else in the world could we find a control group like this?

An isolated population of human beings

genetically identical to our customers? As if they put up the Wall just for us.

Mr. Amend. Our people may be genetically identical, yes.

But we're much healthier than the West Germans.

Thinner, fitter

and drug free. No one here is injecting heroin,

or sleeping on the streets or eating fast food.

Hm.

I've noticed.

And yet, you rely almost entirely on brown coal for heat.

Which means that East Germany has a

very high number of individuals

suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

So your little miracle cures Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

You can't cure it.

Thank God!

Why thank God?

So we can sell this drug to our customers for a very long time.

(Tables getting rowdy)

Hey, that's enough!

You're guests in this country. Be respectful.

My department is testing a medicine that treats symptoms of AIDS.

The gay disease? Huge potential market.

We don't have AIDS in East Germany.

Right, of course not.

The check, please!

After eight weeks, and only if you complete the entire eight week period,

we'll pay your organization 58,000 Deutschmarks.

West Marks.

Hm?

Keep the change.

♪♪(Piano)

Yeah?

(Door opens and closes)

(Laughing)

Our very own Boris.

- Boris Becker, heard of him? - I can't play tennis.

You won't have to.

The Winkelmanns play at Cape Western Sun every Thursday.

You'll meet them at 4 p.m.

Frank Winkelmann is West Germany's Trade Commissioner.

We need his signature to get the weapons for DeGraaf out of customs.

Why would a West German diplomat sign anything for us?

We're West Germans, too.

And I'll wrap him around my finger while you distract his wife.

It's the only way. DeGraaf awaits us today at 7 p.m.

You need a better disguise. Try these.

Better.

Listen up.

♪♪

South Africa's Apartheid regime may be under UN embargo,

but the West needs South Africa as an ally against Communism.

The Americans, Israelis, Western Europe and West Germany deliver weapons

to the South African Army for the fight against Communist Angola.

In Angola, West-supported UNITA rebels, supported by the West,

fight against the Communist MPLA. It's a classic proxy war.

MARTIN: And where do you and Mandela stand?

ROSE: At the ANC we are allies of the USSR,

East Germany and the MPLA in Angola.

But our goal is clear...

Freedom.

Good.

So basically...

West, East.

Who are the good guys?

Once again:

Biggest German-speaking pop star?

Falco.

National coach?

The Kaiser.

The most beloved US TV series in West Germany?

A soap opera, Dallas.

No.

Dynasty, right?

Hm.

A decadent tragedy about newly rich Americans.

Just look at that!

(Seagulls)

Don't worry, you're well disguised.

Who would recognize me here?

The world is smaller than you think.

Maybe, but this is another planet.

(Background chatter)

SEID: There's Winkelmann. I'll get the signature.

And you take care of his wife.

Let's go.

Sorry, Madame. I think you've dropped something.

It's mine indeed.

Thank you, that is so very kind of you.

Frank Winkelmann from the German embassy.

So we can speak German.

Ramona Neid, Tschauder Logistics.

- My wife Brigitte. - Hello.

My client Marcus Herring from Würfel & Struth.

Pleasure.

Würfel & Struth?

Yes, sales management.

Well, well!

A wonderful day for tennis.

Every day here is a wonderful day for tennis.

Too many people only see the negative side of South Africa.

You're right.

Thank God there's places like this where you can forget all the misery.

Hm.

Would you care for a fantastic lemonade?

Shall we?

Yeah, sure!

This way.

(Glasses clinking)

I probably shouldn't even be seen with you.

I won't lie to you, the sanctions are a pain in the ass.

I see the South Africans as our allies.

And Würfel & Struth makes the world's best weapons.

How our customers use them is their business.

- Guns don't kill people... - ...people kill people.

- Ha, ha! - Yeah!

The Communists are banging on our door. Both here and back home in West Germany.

And you know what Reagan says about the "Domino Effect".

Horrible.

Especially when you hear how East Germans are suffering.

Yeah.

We're lucky to be living on the right side of the Wall.

Indeed.

Say, who's that talent over there?

(Exaggerated, echoing stroke)

He plays divinely.

Peter Van de Vetering. Our cover. Come with me.

Most people just come here for fun.

I'm reading a novel by an East German dissident who was sold to the West.

This guy organizes a secret library in East Berlin

and has an affair with a beautiful girl who's pregnant with someone else's baby.

Ah!

Then it turns out she works for the Stasi!

THE NAKED TRUTH

It's a big hit in West Germany.

Everyone reads it for the sex scenes.

Sounds exciting.

You can keep it.

Really?

It's nice to meet an arms dealer who reads novels.

Well, thanks.

♪♪

Allow me.

One second.

(Laughs)

Sorry, it's trickier than I thought.

The bureaucracy here is insane.

Our shipment's stuck in customs, now there's the strike...

Contact my office.

Or help me now. Just sign here...

Please. Call my office. Thanks.

- Thanks. - You're welcome.

Ah...

I think we should go, it's getting chilly here. Shall we pay?

Check please!

You want to take this?

Surely you have a nice expense account at Würfel & Struth?

I do. But as an embassy representative,

you might not want to be taken out by a West German arms dealer.

Then I'll pay privately.

I'm preparing for a visit at the embassy.

Left-wing parliamentarians from home.

They mean nothing but trouble.

My husband carries the weight of the world on his back.

I just think about teeth.

Thanks.

Nice to meet you.

- Thanks. - All the best.

See you, Mr. and Mrs. Winkelmann.

See you.

Bye.

Oh, I'm sorry. My fault.

Is this what we pay you to do here, boy? Make a mess?

I'm sorry.

Come, quickly!

What did you do? Clean it up. Clean up the shit!

I'm so sorry.

Potsdam Hospital, East Germany

How are your girls, Tina?

Good. Growing like crazy.

I grew up with Tina and her brother Thomas.

I was Ms. Schneider's babysitter.

Babysitter?

There must be a nice German word for that, right?

Of course.

Thomas Posimski is your brother?

- Yes. - How's he doing?

Surely you haven't had any contact with him

since he betrayed our country and moved to the West?

No, of course not.

(Distant car motors)

I hear he wrote an erotic novel. It's a huge bestseller over there!

I don't know anything about that.

Of course not. How could you?

Ah, finally, Dr. Albrecht.

Excuse me.

Here, the documents.

- Thank you. - So, here we go.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

It's an honor for us to participate in international research.

And we're very proud

that two excellent doctors are serving East Germany like this.

- Yes. - Cheers.

♪♪

How are you faring?

Doctor, it's so cold.

- I'll tell the nurse. - Thanks.

Kleinmachnow, East Germany

(Laughing)

And in you get.

Sweet dreams.

(Kisses)

Good night, Mommy.

♪♪

THE NAKED TRUTH

(Cityscape with horns)

Cape Town Harbor, South Africa

(Door closes)

Mr. Marcus Herring from Würfel & Struth, as requested.

Good evening, Sir. Good to meet you.

Let's not waste our precious time on niceties.

RAMONA: Here are the copies of the end-user certificates

for your signatures, gentlemen.

♪♪

The tube comes pre-loaded from the factory. The missile is already in it.

It is single use.

This is the firing and arming unit.

It's reusable, with a fresh tube of course.

Battery and cooling unit goes in here.

Now it's fully assembled.

The missile has a 3 kg hit-to-kill warhead

with an impact fuse.

She feels nice.

You wanna try?

These are perfect.

Then we're going to blow the whole fucking refinery in Cuanza Norte!

Cuanza Norte?

In Angola?

Boom!

Let me show you how to handle it first.

You can aim manually

or set it for infrared or ultraviolet guiding.

Just push here,

look through the sight,

find your target,

operate the arming switch, wait for the sound to come,

(Beeping)

and fire.

Martin!

Run!

Run!

♪♪

Let's all be reasonable and do as I say.

Open up.

(guns cocking)

Let's get out of here.

(Crickets)

(Entering apartment)

Here.

That's it, Martin.

You're going back to the orphanage in Cuanza Norte.

Hundreds of children live in that orphanage.

They'll all die if the refinery blows up!

- You want to be responsible for that? - Dammit! This isn't about you,

or about your family and friends!

We're in a geopolitical crisis.

This is about the preservation of our state, its goals,

and the future of millions of people!

You...

You can't see beyond the end of your own nose.

You're so cynical, you know that?

You're using Socialism to justify a bloody deal!

Where are you going?

Away from here.

If you leave now,

you'll never see East Germany again,

nor your son. You know that, right?

ROSE: We'd all better leave South Africa as soon as possible.

They'll surely come after us.

♪♪

If we need money so badly that we're illegally selling weapons,

then at least let's sell them to the right side.

- The right side? - Yes.

Which one is that? The ANC is in exile.

ROSE: There's no client here but the South African Army.

Then we'll sell them abroad.

To the MPLA refinery in Angola. They'll pay us the same.

The guards who watch that place? I know them, I can get us inside.

I don't trust you.

I don't trust you, either.

♪♪("Join the ANC")

(music playing on TV)

THE BLACK CHANNEL

Good evening, dear viewers.

♪♪

THE LOVE BOAT

♪♪

♪♪