Original subtitles

BOLZANO, SOUTH TYROL

Everything good? Yeah?

Do you think it could fly off?

I saw this video. Some fucked-up amusement park in Kazakhstan.

Really. A whole rollercoaster derailed.

Let's do it. Let's do it, you and me.

Hello, tickets, please.

-Am I famous? -No.

Am I one of Dad's friends?

Am I one of Mum's friends?

No.

DUGGEE

-A dog isn't a person. -He can talk.

And he lives in a house like people.

That doesn't count. It's got to be a person.

-Hello. Where are your parents? -We don't have any.

They're divorced.

May I?

We offer travel companions for children. Tell your parents.

-Only at the weekend. -Yes, Granny was moaning about that.

I can see I'm dealing with professionals.

Don't worry. We're being picked up in Berlin.

-Have a good trip. -Thanks.

Anyone else just board?

EIBENSTOCK HYDROPOWER STATION, SAXONY

Parties, festive lighting and the heating on high. Fun, fun, fun.

-Is there an international match? -There's always some game on.

Amazing how much power they're churning out again today.

Wait a minute. Something's not right.

I never thought my mum would ever marry such a chickenshit.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the regional express train from Brandenburg to Frankfurt via Erfurt

is arriving on platform eleven.

The next station is Berlin-Friedrichstrasse.

Something's not right here.

Shut it down.

It's a frequency drop. We need to send in more water.

The generators are going crazy. Shut it down.

-Are you sure? -It'll blow up in our faces. Shut down.

Emergency shutdown. We're going off grid. Now.

SYSTEM OVERLOAD

Shit.

Hurry up!

Exercise caution when...

Excuse me, is your phone working?

-No, there's no network. -Mine neither. Okay, thanks.

Oh God.

-Shit, my phone. You okay? -Has something happened?

-You okay? -Has something happened?

I don't know. Just a stupid glitch.

BELANTIS AMUSEMENT PARK, LEIPZIG

-It's okay, yeah? -Yeah. Yeah.

Follow the light.

Look to the left.

Good.

Can you tell me your name?

-Pierre Manzano. -When were you born?

17.03.1977.

-Any pain? -My arm, but it's okay.

-Mr Manzano. Thank you. Your documents. -Thank you.

Why did the traffic lights go out?

Electricity went out suddenly.

We have to tow away your car now...

Alright.

-For the pain. We'll take you to hospital. -Thank you.

-No need. I'm fine. -Shall we call anyone for you?

No one, thanks.

-Sure? -Thank you.

Thank you.

Really?

See you.

How long will the power cut last?

I don't know. Electricity will be back soon.

I need to know the fastest way to get to Basel.

There's no way I'm spending the night on the platform.

Excuse me. There are hotels behind the station.

If you hurry, I'm sure you'll get a room.

Can you tell me where the ICE 691 is?

We're experiencing a system disruption.

My two daughters are seven. They're on that train. Can you find out where it is?

No connection. I can't reach the control centre.

-The authorities have been informed. -I'd know that.

I've just left the Interior Ministry. I am the authorities.

Please be patient.

Next, please.

I can't give you any information. We're experiencing...

I'm scared.

Me, too.

The emergency power has come on. We'll be off soon, I'm sure.

We'll be off soon, okay?

Are there wolves here?

-They're only in fairy tales. -On the radio they said there were wolves.

In Brandenburg. In the forest.

No, there are no wolves here.

And anyway, we're on the train. No need to worry.

We'll be off soon, I'm sure.

Shall we call Mum?

I'll call her.

Manzano?

Yes.

-Hi. -Hi.

The TV's not working. Neither's the internet.

-You're an engineer. Can't you fix it? -You know I'm not an engineer.

Yeah, but Wi-Fi, pay TV for the whole block.

All free because of you.

So can you fix it?

Atalanta are playing today.

I feared as much.

You want a game?

Fine. You've persuaded me.

Celentano!

Where did you get that scratch?

I mean, it doesn't look bad. Makes you kind of interesting.

Do you have a...

What was that?

I've already looked. It's not the fuses.

-Is everything okay? -Yeah.

Everything's fine.

Could you shine some light here?

The barrier's not working.

Thanks.

BERLIN, INTERIOR MINISTRY

We're to go to the situation room. Severin's there.

What's happened?

A sudden voltage drop. Affecting Berlin, Brandenburg, parts of eastern Germany.

Shit. And the cause?

No one knows anything.

Something's happening down there.

They're coming for us. They... Look. Look!

-I can't look down. -You don't have to.

Give me your hand. Give me your hand!

There. The fire brigade. Look.

Look at me.

Look me in the eyes.

Okay, Max. Everything will be okay.

Everything will be okay. Yeah?

They're getting us out.

They're firefighters. They know what they're doing.

-Carmen? -Yes?

Could you do something for me? A personal favour?

-Lisa and Marie? -Can you please find out where ICE 691 is?

No power here either?

No, minister. We're switching to emergency power, then we'll start the networks.

Can anyone explain what's happened?

National Crisis Management Unit. Or is this the wrong place?

Where's Stöcker?

Dr Stöcker is on a business trip.

Great.

I'm Frauke Michelsen, his deputy.

Good. So, what's happened?

There are various scenarios.

Probably the simultaneous outage of several main power lines

has caused unusual fluctuations in the power grid.

Power fluctuations? I was dragged out of the opera for this?

When will the power be back on?

Normally, these fluctuations last milliseconds,

but the network operators don't seem able to get them under control.

Cause?

We suspect some kind of domino effect. Give me half an hour to find out more.

No water, no flushing toilets, no internet.

People can no longer post selfies or take a shit.

I'll give you ten minutes.

Oh man.

-What's that? -A smart meter.

It calculates your power consumption to the second.

Do I have one, too?

Manzano!

Great!

You're a genius.

I knew that.

Not an engineer, but a genius.

Open the bottle.

There.

Look.

A Barolo.

Brilliant.

Fuck!

Turn it back on. Can you turn it back on?

Loss of stability, cascades due to overloading, voltage drop.

The operators need to give us more detail.

-They say it's temporary. -They always do.

But the power's out in half of Germany.

Bremen, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein are off the grid now, too.

So the whole of the north.

Italy, France and Scandinavia are also affected.

-What? -What?

-Okay, we'll go over now. -Yes.

-Has the crisis team been convened? -That's for the minister to decide.

The police liaison officer and press officer are here.

Good.

Find me the report with prevention measures for blackout scenario 2011.

Let me know if you find out about the ICE train.

I don't think I can turn it back on again.

That's not good. That's not good at all.

You used to be able to just change a fuse and the lights came back on.

Today, you need to be an engineer to even understand it.

Shit.

Those numbers there,

what do they mean?

09, 12, 18, 95. Shit.

What is it?

Do you have a problem?

Yes.

But I'm afraid it's not just me.

This is the current picture.

Saarland was the last to go off grid. This means Germany is completely offline.

I thought the German power grid was secure.

How can a sudden blackout like this happen?

Think of the power grid like your blood circulation.

Power stations distribute electricity through the body like the heart.

If the blood pressure is suddenly too high or too low, it goes dark.

Are we talking about a heart attack?

Or are we already dead?

It doesn't look good. There are numerous fires and traffic accidents.

Thousands are stuck in lifts, underground trains.

-Emergency backup power? -We have that, as do hospitals.

But only for 48 hours. Tomorrow, there could be huge problems...

It won't come to that.

Veit Rhees, Interior Ministry management. The power suppliers are optimistic.

In one to two hours at most, they will have solved the problem.

You spoke to them?

Earlier. The landlines were still working.

Good, so do we know the cause of the power outage?

No, not really.

These are complex systems. Human error, aging equipment, the weather.

There's even talk of a solar storm.

-When precisely will the power be back up? -They're confident it won't be long.

We have a meeting at the chancellor's office.

-Yes. Thanks, Ms Michelsen. -Pleasure.

-So? -Reboot's completed.

-Everything's reset. -SCADA systems checked?

-Yes. We can do it. -Good. I'll go back down.

Yeah.

There are always outages,

but there's never been a blackout on a scale like this.

-What if the power doesn't come back on? -It will.

It's three degrees. The drinking water supply is cut off. Heating is off...

Are you listening to me?

I'm nearly there.

By tomorrow, food distribution will collapse,

and there'll be no more supplies coming in.

-What do you suggest? -Set up food banks.

Distribute generators. During crisis training...

Dr Stöcker has broken off his business trip.

He'll take over the team tomorrow if that's even necessary.

You designed the power outage crisis exercise last year?

-Yes. -Good.

Until Stöcker returns, head up the crisis team.

Rhees will support you. No alarmist messages to the public.

I don't want people panicking.

Minister!

-I'm down. Start. -Okay. Go.

More.

More.

Even more.

More. Even more.

SYSTEM OVERLOAD

Danger of short circuit at XCL 163.

Shit. It's not the turbines. Something's wrong with the system.

-I'm getting error messages. -It's not working. Abort attempt.

Call control centre.

The line's dead.

I'll drive there.

What are those numbers?

Using the smart meter, that white box...

energy companies can see your power consumption.

But they can also limit it or even cut off your electricity

if you haven't paid your bill.

It's not like all of Bolzano hasn't paid their bill.

This code is a disconnect command. Do you see?

A secret weapon.

You can use it to disconnect me, or this apartment, from the grid

and you can use it to switch off all smart meters in one fell swoop.

-You mean all of them? -All of them.

Fucking hell.

Who would do that?

Manzano, we have to go to the police.

They don't know what's going on. They've no idea about this.

Definitely not.

You have to.

What if the power doesn't come back on?

Hospitals, care homes, all without power.

-People will die. -Carlo, I'm not talking to the police.

Manzano, how do you know about this code, anyway?

I don't think this is a good idea.

-I'm still on probation. -You're doing the right thing.

Whenever I've had to deal with the police, I end up in the shit.

I'll come with you.

We'll go in together.

Say what you've got to say and then we'll drink a nice bottle of wine.

There's the ladder. Can you see it?

They're coming.

Please remain calm. We will now set up a ladder and bring you down.

Yes. Yes.

It will only be a few short minutes till we get you down.

Can we get closer? I still can't reach.

Up, up, up.

They'll get us out of here soon. It won't be much longer. Okay?

Stop! The ground can't support you.

Stop! We have to stop!

Oh God.

It doesn't matter. Listen, it doesn't.

They'll still get us out.

-What's wrong? -Help!

We'll manage.

...come to our city. To buy splendor and luxury.

Why won't you listen to me?

Good evening.

Your ID, please.

Please call Enacom urgently.

The power company.

Their smart meters, the electricity meters, have been tampered with.

Your ID, please.

Why? I just want to give you information.

-Your ID, please. -I don't have it with me. Sorry.

What is your job?

Who cares?

I deliver pizzas, but I know a lot about computers.

-I know what I'm talking about. -Thanks. I've noted your concern.

Next, please!

What? Just a minute.

If you don't process my complaint,

I'll make a video, okay?

-And you will be personally liable. -This blackout is no accident.

The meters have been manipulated.

It's like an avalanche. It starts slowly, gets faster.

And it will end in catastrophe.

The apocalypse is coming. This man knows.

I beg you, I know what I'm talking about.

Next, please!

Fuck.

-What did I say? -You were right.

Water? There you go.

I've haven't got any new information. Sorry.

Can you ring Mum again?

I'll try.

No reception.

Shall I try?

Have you got a better phone than ours?

-Who do you want to call? -Mum.

This is her telephone number.

I can try to call her.

No.

I don't have reception either.

But... I've got something for you.

"Shaun the Sheep."

You've got children's films on your phone?

Yes.

I like children's films.

Do you have "PAW Patrol"?

No, I'm afraid not.

I've got an idea. If you look after my phone, you can watch the film.

Agreed?

Have you found the ICE?

Yes, the train broke down somewhere between Lower Saxony and Brandenburg.

Nobody knows exactly where.

Federal Railway control centre is on it, but they're in chaos...

I have to go to the 304 meeting. I'm head of the crisis team until further notice.

-Far out. -What?

Yes. Tell me if you get news about the ICE.

Yes. Who else will be there?

Jelka for... environment. Kantor from the Interior Ministry for security.

-Kantor? -We've got half an hour.

-I need all available information. -Okay.

I don't know if that was the right decision.

She's usually just in charge of wellies and iodine tablets.

-You'd have wanted to do it? -Definitely not.

-She's in the hot seat. -Exactly.

A bitter pill for our chancellor and his screwed-up transition to green energy.

Is it certain that the power will be back up in two hours?

The energy suppliers are optimistic.

It won't be much longer.

I want to see the energy supplier CEOs tomorrow morning.

They can explain to me in person exactly what happened.

It's always the same shit.

Trying to reason with cops is like teaching a horse to play chess.

But the carabinieri have to take down your report.

That's what they're there for.

Whether you're a pizza delivery boy, the pope or Berlusconi.

Up ahead on the right.

Steffi?

Steffi?

Steffi!

Oh my God, do I feel sick. I'll tell you one thing.

Next time we get stuck on a rollercoaster,

I'm not eating any candyfloss beforehand.

-Look up there. -She's climbing out.

Get back in the carriage.

-What? What's she doing? -Stay where you are.

-Come back! -Come back!

Please stay calm.

We'll get you down.

Please go back.

-What's she doing? -I don't know.

-Go back! -Quick, the rescue net!

-Quick! -Just hold tight!

-The rescue net! -Please go back.

Hold tight, just hold on tight!

You can't turn up in the middle of the night, banging on the door.

I need to go away for a few days.

What's that got to do with me? You didn't want anything permanent.

Mum...

Hey, how's it going?

-I'm sorry. -What's that?

The power won't be back up any time soon. I wanted you to have some supplies.

Bananas?

-A gun? -It's a blank gun. It's Carlo's.

The ammunition's here. Just in case.

And one more thing.

Could you look after Celentano for me?

I'll be back to pick him up.

Where are you going?

-To Enacom in Innsbruck. -What?

The power supplier. I'll explain another time.

Come on.

I'm Frauke Michelsen from the Crisis Management Unit.

I'm heading the crisis team on behalf of Dr Stöcker.

The situation is that within the last three hours,

the entire European power grid has collapsed.

Over 500 million people are in the dark.

In disaster exercises, outages were limited, we could request outside help.

So, as things stand, there is no "outside"?

Exactly. Which doesn't make this easier.

-Are we in contact with the other states? -We've set up lines to their crisis units.

-Except for Bremen, but we'll sort that. -Good. Power stations?

All off grid. Nothing at all is working.

Let's focus on coordinating relief efforts with the states.

I'd like there to be a list by tomorrow morning:

free emergency generators, food reserves.

What resources can we quickly deploy and where?

I'd like it if we didn't have to provide resources.

If the power supply is not restored by tomorrow morning

that does not bode well for the security of our country.

Yes, you know how it is. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

-Was that it? -Yes.

Good.

Don't say anything, please.

She looked nice.

And she seemed to like you.

-You're both a similar age... -Carlo, it just didn't work.

You left Celentano with her.

-What was I meant to do with him? -No idea?

But your brought him to her.

-You could have set him free. -I may as well put him in the blender.

He'd freeze to death outside.

Believe me, not a day goes by when I don't regret separating from Maria.

It's not nice growing old alone.

I'm serious now.

And now the latest news.

After more than six hours, there is no official information

from the government or the power companies

as to why the sudden power cuts occurred.

And that, on this particularly cold November night at minus four degrees.

-We will keep you up to date... -We need fuel.

I hope we can find a petrol station.

Stöcker definitely won't be here tomorrow.

He's stuck in Tokyo. All flights are cancelled.

-Bloody hell. -Yes.

Night duty will take over now.

I've arranged a car for you from the motor pool. You have seven hours.

You're an angel.

-So the train is here at Kyritz. -Yes.

The passengers have been taken to a hall there.

Should I come with you?

No, get some sleep. I'll need you tomorrow.

Oh, yes.

You might need these.

-Perfect. Thanks, Carmen. -Good luck.

This way. This way.

Has everyone gone?

Yes.

Hello?

Hello?

The train is being evacuated.

We have to get off.

We're waiting until Mum comes.

There are wolves out there.

Yes.

She won't come... your mum.

Oh yes she will.

Look, your mum wouldn't want you to spend the night out here on the train.

-Evening. -Where are you going?

I need to do something.

You can't leave. You're head of the crisis team.

My kids are on a train that broke down. I'm going to fetch them.

You're standing in for Severin tomorrow, meeting the power supplier CEOs.

You can't be driving around now.

I'll be back in time.

You don't need to be afraid. I know the area.

I live around here.

It's a funny coincidence.

So, you come with me and I'll take you to your mum, okay?

Promise?

Promise.

You get your cuddly toys, I'll take your suitcases,

and we'll go on a night-time walk, okay?

We're going to stay here.

We're going to wait until Mum comes.

-And? -There's no fuel.

Pumps don't work without electricity.

No water for the toilets. You can only pay in cash, but there's nothing left.

This is the only thing I could still get.

I'm going to try to hitchhike. Is that okay with you?

Of course.

Wish me luck.

You'll need it.

Will you take care of Celentano if you get back before me?

You actually do have a sense of responsibility.

You're not as much of a shithead as I thought.

Get home safe.

Lisa?

Marie?

Turn off that bloody torch!

Sorry.

Lisa?

I'm certain the girls were on the train.

Where's the conductor? He'll have checked their tickets. He'll have seen them.

The conductor was taken by police car to Neuruppin to the regional office.

My children can't just have disappeared.

Where's their travel companion? They were meant to be accompanied.

I don't know anything about that.

Where's the ICE?

In Karnzower Forest. But there's no one on it now. They checked twice.

My God...

Okay, let's go.

Oh no.

My God, I hope it's not...

INNSBRUCK, ENACOM HEADQUARTERS

Thanks.

I'm with them.

WE WANT ANSWERS!

Would you answer a couple of questions?

NATIONALISE ALL POWER STATIONS!

-You're the IT guys? -Hi.

Follow me, please.

-Hello. -Hello.

-Hello. -Hi.

Excuse me, what are you doing here?

I've come from Bolzano especially. I'll be quick.

Your smart meters have been hacked with a block command.

-That's what caused the blackout. -We haven't been hacked.

The problem is grid instabilities, not electricity meters.

I hacked the smart meters. If I can do it, so can others.

This blackout is no coincidence. You've been hacked.

If you don't find the source quickly, it'll soon be like the Middle Ages.

Yes. Thank you. You've been helpful.

-These gentlemen will... -I read the control codes.

This blackout is an attack.

Okay, fine, I'll go out there and tell the journalists

this is an attack on our power supply and you don't want to listen.

Come with me. It's okay.

Fuck!

No!

Fuck off!

The boss will have time to see you soon.

-Okay. -Need anything else?

Another coffee, please.

With milk and sugar.

Of course.

Come with us.

-Come with us. -Hey, calm down.

Hey, what are you doing?

Fuck.

BASED ON THE BOOK "BLACKOUT, TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE" BY MARC ELSBERG

Subtitles: Jacqueline Ball et al.