Original subtitles

Anyone who wants an honest and unsparing examination

of the East German SED party's past

must take special care to ensure that political guilt

does not go unpunished for the second time in this country.

Arms trafficking,

embezzlement and the misappropriation of assets

between East and West

still threaten to undermine democratic structures to this day.

A proper examination of the past serves not least to ensure internal security,

by encouraging former East German citizens

to identify with their new nation.

Morning!

Morning!

Good morning. -Hello.

Good morning. -Morning.

Shit.

Morning!

Good morning, colleague.

You're “colleagues” now, not "comrades".

Which means we need to shed our old mentality, okay?

The old East German mentality of the GDR has got to go.

This will be hard for some. -And not so hard for others!

Okay?

We need to embrace unified Germany, including linguistically.

So I've put together a list of terms we should avoid in the future.

So, for example,

a "collective", okay?

What do we think a collective is called in unified Germany?

No one? In future, we will call a "collective" a "team".

Okay? Ms Karkoschwski, don't look so unimpressed.

Next we have "brigade". Any ideas?

"Raider is now Twix, nothing else has changed."

I saw that at the Thälmann Street co-op. -They're called "supermarkets" here.

And I doubt "Thälmann" is acceptable. -Colleagues, stay seated...

Comrade, could you get to the point? -I am.

Bonn has set up a new investigative unit.

The Central Investigative Office for Government and Unification Crimes,

known as ZERV.

They're looking into the crimes of the East German Communist Party.

The team consists of 200 police officers from West Germany.

They're seasoned professionals. -How lucky for us East German amateurs.

It's important for them to know they can count on our help. Okay?

Matthias!

Matthias...

Matthias...

Are you sure you're right about this? -I wouldn't come forward otherwise.

It's never going to end, is it?

I'm heading over to ZERV right now.

CENTRAL INVESTIGATIVE OFFICE FOR GOVERNMENT AND UNIFICATION CRIMES

Right, here you go.

But the plumber comes tom... -Just do it, Walter.

Take matters into your own hands.

It feels good, you'll see.

Mind the step.

Excuse me?

Is this ZERV? -Yes.

How can we help? -I need to talk to someone in economics.

What's it about?

Well, you're in the right place.

I'll take you to Mr Simon. Follow me.

Shall we? -Yes.

You can just... Oops!

Thanks. Would you mind bringing that?

Coffee's here!

You can get pens and paper from me later.

Holger? Thank you.

Thanks.

Ah, one moment.

Boss! Client!

You have to create a vacuum, Walter, it's simple physics.

Can I help? -I'm afraid it needs to be your boss.

Fine, I'll show you to his office and take your details.

Come with me.

Right this way.

Forty years of filth...

Oh God, that's disgusting. -What's going on?

This place is one massive blocked drain. -Well...

Broken toilets, broken phones, no supplies...

Just as I promised, no?

And yet...

we have the opportunity to bring justice here.

And, as promised, it's an opportunity for you, too.

Let me help you. -No, wait! Hans, no!

Send anything else from the archives straight to me.

Where is he? -I told him to come back tomorrow.

Given all the chaos... -Excuse me.

“"Matthias Trockland, re: disarmament of the NPA".

I don't believe this.

That's the National People's Army, Holger.

Telephone? -Huh?

The telephone's not working. -The technician's coming tomorrow.

Right, tomorrow.

Then I'll go see Trockland in person.

So much for "prosperity through unity".

Really? I thought we agreed to quit!

Now that Haller's in charge, he just won't shut up.

Come with me. We've got bodies.

Damn.

What's all this?

Continuous paper.

And where are the printers?

They should be coming... -Tomorrow, right.

That's right..

Hi, gentlemen. -Hello.

Hello. -Hello.

And? -What?

Where are we going? -Oh, right.

Behind there. -Where exactly?

Down there.

You new here?

Well, actually... -Leave it, Karo.

Those West Germans. -I want tyre tracks, people!

Off to work.

Shit... -What?

It's Trockland, a friend of my parents.

Oh, shit.

Wait here. -We say "please" here.

What's going on here? -Wait a minute.

I'm Officer Simon, from ZERV. -"ZERV"?

We investigate government and unification crimes.

It's a new police agency in Berlin. Here.

Never heard of it.

From Bremen? -Yes.

We have no IDs or anything yet. Is the crime scene this way?

Wait! What the hell was that?

No idea.

My initial external examination suggests he died of a cervical spine fracture.

Simon, ZERV. How do you do?

That's him! -Who's in charge here?

Super Cop in the flesh. -There, the one in red.

Thanks. Hello, Simon, ZERV.

Chief Inspector Schubert, Homicide. -Hi.

How awful.

He came to see us three hours ago.

Something about NPA disarmament...

Good lord.

Looks like a suicide.

Yes... It's terrible how many people over here

are burdened by guilt.

One in three a Stasi informant, statistically...

What are you saying?

ZERV?

Has the West sent over homicide detectives, too?

I'm with the Economic Crime Unit.

Oh, right. -Yes.

What's that? -Tree bark.

He had a good rub and got "scratched" as you say here, when he was hoisted up.

I see.

So you think he was pulled up in the noose?

That would be my first guess.

And your second?

If you want someone gone, you chop them up,

tear them up, bury them, sink them...

You don't hang them from a tree in broad daylight.

This looks like a threat to me.

Well, we'll be in touch if we have any more questions.

Wait!

Excuse me!

The thing is, Mr Trockland came to see us at ZERV, Ms...

Schubert. -Schubert, okay.

It's really not that complicated:

If it's NPA-related, it's a reunification crime.

And if it's a reunification crime...

It's my case, plain and simple.

Is this Hollywood where the FBI shows up?

Basically, yes.

Homicide is homicide.

My case.

I hope you all know what needs doing? -No.

All I did in East Germany was lead Young Pioneer hikes.

Trockland was certainly well connected.

Who makes scrambled eggs

and then, just when it's ready,

decides to kill themselves?

It's still warm.

Do we agree that something here isn't quite right?

Do we agree

that your attitude makes people want to punch you in the face?

We don't need to be at odds, Schubert.

At ZERV, we care less about who committed the murder and more about why.

NPA, embezzled funds, economic crimes...

These are all facets of the... Don't move!

You're contaminating the entire crime scene.

Bring some overalls for our Western colleague!

Look in the briefcase. -I never would have thought of that!

"GDR Ministry for Disarmament"

Ministry ID. -What did I tell you?

Mr Trockland was a person of importance. -Oh, come on!

Get these on and get out. -Pardon?

Let us do our job first.

Fine.

Go ahead, do your jobs.

We found fresh motorbike tracks on the road.

Congratulations, Young Pioneer! That was a good one.

Where's the taxi? I told him to wait.

No idea.

I gave him 20 marks.

Fuck the East!

Fuck!

Bye, Uta. -Bye.

Bye. -See you next time.

Fucking hell.

This is really nice of you, thanks. -No company car?

Question all his friends and family. I'd like everything in writing with copies.

Does "all" mean the body, too?

We know how to do our jobs, you know? -I know.

The bus to the city runs every 20 minutes.

A single costs 1.80. I'm going the other way.

Good.

Thank you.

Andi, what are you doing here? -Same to you.

I didn't know you were coming to help.

"Help"?

Your mum's birthday?

Is she home? -Yes. I got her a food processor.

They had a sale on in Wertheim on Ku'Damm.

No more chopping everything by hand. -Karo! What a surprise!

Hi, Mum. -Give me that.

Just the drinks left. -Can you manage alone?

Yes.

You've still got him under the thumb. -Right.

Mum? I have to tell you something.

No, you're not working tomorrow. Not on my birthday.

I'm counting on you. -It's not that.

Yes?

Matthias Trockland is dead. I'm sorry.

What happened?

We believe he was murdered.

That can't be. He... It...

How can that be?

I kept thinking of the time

we went camping with him and Dad at the lake. Do you remember?

That was... a long time ago.

When did you see him last?

Let me think...

A few months ago.

Did he work at the Disarmament Ministry? -Yes.

But it wasn't what he'd hoped. He was glad when it was over.

Did he ever talk about it? -No.

He didn't. Ow! For heaven's sake!

Sorry, Mum.

Care for some bubbly?

Thank you.

Peter! Want some?

This is what you look like

after wading through the mire that is East Germany.

No! It's not funny.

Sorry.

When the local police help their fellow officers

by throwing them out of the car in the middle of the night,

in the middle of Stalin-knows-where.

There's not one working phone in the whole damn country

and the only informant

that we have, that we had,

is suddenly

found hanging

from a tree, dead!

We must be listening at all times!

We must be watching at all times!

We must pay attention, damn it!

Drill that into your skulls! -Who is responsible for this?

The man wanted to talk. Who sent him away?

On the very first day! Bravo! -Shout at me, Hans, not them.

Fine! How did this happen? -It won't happen again.

I chose only the best for my team, and we have big things ahead of us.

So pull yourselves together.

And earn those relocation bonuses you were given.

We have to find out Trockland's role at the Disarmament Ministry.

Right... Hans!

Can you hold on a second? Thank you.

The homicide officer on the case is a typical East German cop.

There is no "East Germany" anymore. -Oh, yes there is!

Believe me, I've just come back from it.

Her name is... Karo Schubert.

Keep her away from me, please.

I cannot and will not work with this woman.

And we shouldn't, anyway. -Peter.

You have to be realistic.

What? No!

Do you know this woman's background?

What?

We can't have the old comrades getting involved in our first case.

They're part of the problem and not the solution.

Shit.

Silvie?

Oh, hi. I'm Bianca.

Hi, Bianca. Oh, you've almost finished without me.

I told you, she forgot. -No, I didn't forget.

Something came up. -I know, murder follows no schedule.

Hello, Mum. -Hello, my darling.

So you got the new flat? -No. We're occupying a building.

Right... Can I smell food?

Pizza!

Bianca brought it over. -Bianca, huh?

Anyway, there are so many empty buildings. It's so cool.

Hey, speaking of "cool",

these idiots from the West swanned in today

telling us how to do our jobs. Can you imagine?

And one of them is a real piece of work.

He marched onto my turf with this "Lord of the Manor" act.

Damn. -Thanks.

Hey, Mum, we still need some shelves and a chair.

Dad's giving us a table...

But we could definitely use some extra cash.

How much? -What have you got?

Nothing.

Okay, here. -Great, that okay?

Because it's you. -Thanks, Mummy.

I love you.

Woah, awesome!

It's like in some cop show.

What are you doing?

That's private! Get out, please.

Okay... -Sorry, Mum.

We'll go. -When will I see you next?

I'll be in touch, okay?

Don't take it to heart. My grandad drove into a river five years ago.

We all think he had an accident and is dead.

Except Mum.

WHERE WAS HE HEADED?

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

The riots targeting foreigners have caused great concern among all parties.

Germany's federal government has deemed this weekend's unruly events in Hoyerswerda

unworthy of a civilised and tolerant society...

A very good evening. I assume I can get something to eat?

We're not a five-star hotel.

I can offer you a sausage. But it's cold.

And to drink?

I've got some beer. But it's warm.

How about some water?

Well, since you asked so nicely.

More fighting in Slovenia.

Neither the Yugoslav National Army nor the Slovenian militia

are adhering to the ceasefire negotiated on Sunday.

At 9 AM this morning, the ceasefire was broken.

Slovenian military bases were bombed three times by fighter jets

and those fleeing the scene were shot at.

Morning, hun. You're in early today.

So, Trockland was definitely dead before he was strung up.

Broken neck, professionally done.

Forensics say the neck bleeding was post-mortem.

Trockland was right-handed but the knot was tied left-handed?

Skin particles on the rope...

Which only happens when pulling something heavy.

Just think, soon we'll be identifying the perpetrator with DNA from the skin.

Look, here are a few more souvenirs from Trockland's cottage.

Just bit and bobs... This is a fishing license.

And that? -Hm?

That. -You got me.

The key was under a loose floorboard, we don't know what it's for.

Fishing license...

Trockland had a boat on Liepnitzsee lake. Write it down.

Liepnitzsee...

How did your mum react? -Badly, they were very close friends.

He helped out at my dad's company. -Oh right.

Karo, we need you over here. -See you later.

Why are you all dressed up? -ZERV press conference. Come on.

Why do I need to go? -To make a good impression.

Hey, Bodo, this stays my case, okay? -That's why we're going.

How do I look? -What is this? Your youth initiation?

Good morning. -Morning.

Look at what I got. You can now reach me anywhere.

Including in the office. Go ahead.

So, Trockland did indeed supervise the disbanding of the NPA.

He organised the sale and destruction of weapons.

So, missiles, tanks, boats, planes, etc.

Tough job. How much money are we talking?

We found a list.

According to this, in 1988, the entire weapons stock

was worth 80 billion East German marks.

"76mm Selbstfahrlafette" tank, "L+R 17". What is this?

What am I supposed to do with this?

Someone needs to decode this for me and put it into context.

Like someone who worked with Trockland.

One man was always a link between Trockland and the scrapyard:

Hans-Joachim Gärster.

Right, is he still around? Is he in Berlin? Where is he?

Peter, the press conference.

Yes, the press conference. All right.

Was he so impatient in Bremen?

That? That was nothing.

Excuse me!

Pardon me.

Can I help? -Yes, perhaps.

Okay.

My name's Hannah Lorenz. In 1983, my son...

He tried to leave.

He was... shot.

Who can I talk to?

Go and see Ms Hallbach, Room 213, second floor.

She can help you. Goodbye. -Thank you.

Okay, come on, I'll take you to her. -Thank you.

Today, with the founding of ZERV, we are sending a very clear signal:

We will take action against injustice

so the mistakes we made in 1945 in dealing with the Nazi dictatorship

are not repeated again today.

To achieve this, we have brought together

the best police officers from the 11 West German states.

I would like to wish ZERV,

also on behalf of Federal Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl...

That was our esteemed State Secretary Bohr,

who regrets not being able to be here today.

Sadly, it is the case

that the first to have successfully reunited

following the fall of the Wall

are the criminals.

Pre- and post-unification crimes, be it contract killing,

the moving of SED and Stasi millions,

embargo violations,

especially in the sensitive areas of arms trade and tech...

It all adds up to quite a lot.

We, by which I mean all of our officers,

are here for every single citizen

and we want to help them achieve a sense of justice.

Any questions? -Peter Schmidt, Courier...

You're helping us achieve a sense of justice, huh?

...involving several hundred colleagues in all the federal states.

The video was a very good idea... -Thank you.

Has the case been assigned yet? -Of course.

So? Who gets the Trockland case? -Both of you.

A joint East and West investigation.

It will make a good story. Now let's take a nice photo.

Yes, can we get a picture?

Hello?

I'm just popping to the toilet. -You go in the middle.

Over here please.

I simply cannot work with her.

How is this going to work?

Peter, you're an expert in economic crime.

But we have no forensics teams here.

No one expected we would have a body on our hands.

But we don't care who actually did it.

This was a contract killing, a pro job.

We want to know who ordered the... -Thank you again for your support.

Always happy to help a colleague. -We could really use computers.

I can offer you HB pencils in return. -German bureaucracy...

Gärster's address.

He worked for Schalck-Golodkowski in CoCo, Commercial Coordination.

Now he runs a cleaning company.

What's the saying? Don't leave the commie to guard the cream?

"Don't leave the..." Huh?

Frauke!

Coming!

If Gärster worked at CoCo, I need to know with whom and for whom.

Get me a list. -I"'m on it.

Good. -Officer Simon?

Care to grab a coffee some time?

Or a Ketwurst?

We have to work together somehow.

Yes, absolutely.

Schedule an appointment with my secretary.

And then...

"cat wurst" it is.

Hi, honey! -Hey, babe.

Got your bikini on you? -Why?

We're off to Liepnitzsee!

I found the jetty to Trockland's boat.

I'll follow you. -Great!

Like that, then all the way down keeping a nice loose wrist.

Very simple.

Sorry I have nothing better for you.

What's wrong with you?

This isn't a playground, Reiko!

Check it out. It cost just 3,850 thanks to my bargaining.

So now we're getting the West's scrap metal?

But Dad always wanted a Golf like this. -I know.

But money should be used to build something, like this place.

I've tuned the engine. It runs like a dream.

Shall I take you for a spin?

What do you say?

Mr Gärster? -Hello.

Simon and Beckmann from ZERV. Do you know who we are?

Yes, the "good guys".

What can I do for you?

Matthias Trockland, suicide? No way.

We share your view. -You oversaw arms deals at CoCo.

Then you and Trockland disbanded the NPA,

had the weapons destroyed and...

I was responsible for defence at CoCo.

Later, I used my knowledge to aid with disarmament.

And... -For 3,122.45 West German marks.

Gross, in case you were wondering.

And now you're cleaning up? -We clean buildings, yes.

There's no money in my old field of expertise.

Sure, given the economic upheaval.

It is our belief that Trockland was dead

before he was hanged.

And the gruesome staging of his body,

it was a threat, but for whom?

Are you saying I'm next in line?

No.

We don't want to assume the worst.

We're not in...

The name escapes me.

Never mind.

But it's important to us that this doesn't happen.

Right...

Well, Matthias was quite high up.

He was responsible for PR and press at the Ministry, under Eppelmann.

I've never heard of a press officer dissolving an army before!

Matthias was a smart guy. He left it to the pros.

Weapons worth 80 billion East German marks.

He just hands it over. -80 billion? Wishful thinking.

I'm not even sure it was worth a quarter of that in West marks.

And anything not sold? -Landed on the scrap heap.

That was the main task. -And who did that? The Stasi?

Old boy network? -All approved by West Germany in Bonn.

So there are no weapons of war elsewhere? -I am, but...

As you can see, I'm no longer involved...

An old colleague. He studied foreign trade, and now...

You look out for old comrades?

Companies and collectives were like family for the people here.

And now you lot show up to spend the next 40 years

investigating us, sniffing round our dirty laundry, for what?

A 1,100 mark relocation allowance plus expenses and lodgings?

To escape the boring wife in the West and bang an Eastern bird?

Sorry, I have to take this. Simon, ZERV...

Trockland. Okay and where?

We'll be in touch, okay?

And that guy from the cafeteria. -The one at the Women's Day party?

You thought he was so cute.

Can you please promise me that we will never again...

Officer Schubert!

The FBI! -We'd better act serious.

Schubert!

What are you doing? -Having a look around.

We found a key.

The manufacturer says it's for the waterproof safe "Pandora Aqua Resist".

My dad always kept a box in the water on a rope for cooling beers.

But there's nothing here.

One of the boards might be loose.

Like I said, nothing on the jetty. -What about the buoy?

This looks like a job for a professional.

Oh my God!

Damn!

Everything okay, Officer Simon?

There's something here!

There's something here!

Oh God!

Got it! -No way!

Wait.

Hold on.

Is he in? -Yes.

Now, we've just got to...

It's jammed. -Careful.

Careful. -Stamp on it.

Be careful! -What?

We might damage something.

Fine, I'll take it to the lab.

I'm guessing Friday was your swim day? Ours was Saturday.

Right, we'll go to my mum's first.

She can give you dry clothes.

What's the matter?

Your colleague will come here once she's opened the safe?

You can count on Lampert.

So, shall we?

I'm not sure...

Good.

Happy birthday. -Thank you!

It's beautiful! -Hi, Mum.

Ah, Karo!

Happy birthday. -Thank you.

Many happy returns. -Thank you.

Oh, right, this is Officer Simon. The one I was telling you about.

Very nice to meet you. -Likewise. Happy birthday.

Sorry that I'm intr... -The one you wanted.

No! -Yes!

It's marvellous!

Would you buy your mother such a splendid gift?

It suits you very much.

I feel I must return the compliment.

Well, actually my... -Lovely to have you.

I bet Officer Simon is hungry. We've got food, drink...

Yes, let's have a sausage. -Yes, enjoy yourselves.

Very pretty. -Hello, Bianca!

Hi.

My daughter makes the best grilled sausages ever.

Hello, sunshine. -Hi, Mum.

Make sure my Bremen colleague gets an extra special one.

The new guy from the West? -Well, colleague...

My name's Peter Simon.

From ZERV. -ZERV?

The Central Investigative Office for Government and Unification Crimes.

So, we're looking into the alleged East German injustices.

Right, the Lord of the Manor! -What's that?

Your mum's mentioned me?

Mum! -Hey there...

So you're here to clean up the mess?

Yes, in a manner of speaking.

Does your family like it here?

Sorry?

I'm here alone.

Keep an eye on the barbecue, would you?

Happy birthday, Elisabeth!

Thank you! What on earth is all this?

Let me guess, you're stuck here at the barbecue,

and wondering if hooking up with Karo was a good idea?

We're just colleagues. -It's fine.

My old clothes suit you, by the way. I had a denim phase.

I see, you're Mrs Schubert's husband?

Until two years ago. Now I'm just Andi.

And you are? -Peter Simon.

Peter.

Are you also in the police?

God, no. My dad was a preacher.

I never even did military service.

I trained as a carpenter. But now I'm just fast Andy.

Call me if you ever need a taxi, day or night.

I wouldn't know who was from the East

and who was from the West.

We were just talking about you. Only good things.

There's your colleague.

Schubert!

Let's play a round of "What's in the Box"?

Bank statements of a "von Ebbinghausen". -What's this?

Military zones and training areas. -Oranienburg...

There are some old NPA barracks there. -Look, tomorrow's date.

Karo?

Let's go take a look. -Yes.

I'll just say goodbye. Thanks, Uta.

Hey, Mum... -Thanks, Lampert.

My phone!

Your mother is...

...vivacious.

And you have a very self-confident daughter.

And your... Andi, he's nice.

Yes. -Right here.

Hm? Oh, yes.

Are they firing those things?

Stay behind me!

Police!

Don't move!

Turn off the ignition!

Hands in the air! -Easy!

Where'd you get this stuff? -It was lying around.

Where was it lying around? -In there.

Shit...

Subtitles: Samson & Fritaud Text, Berlin