Original subtitles

Why did the toilet paper

in East Germany...

tend to be two-ply?

So you could always send a carbon copy to Moscow.

Karo says in East Germany...

Dad? What are you doing here? -Karo...

You look great. Get in, I want to show you something.

Quickly! It's important!

Where are we going?

What are we doing here?

Dad?

Schubert!

So, this is the jewel of the exhibition.

The jet engine of a Mikoyan-Gurevich,

better known as the Russian fighter MiG.

MiG 31, to be precise.

Plus laser guidance devices

for Soviet surface-to-surface missiles,

100 AK-74 assault rifles, Makarov pistols...

All from the National People's Army.

Shouldn't it have been scrapped long ago? -Theoretically.

Trockland got wind of some illegal arms deals?

That's why he was killed? -So it would seem.

What now? -The weapons will be destroyed.

Lieutenant General Henneberg, Bundeswehr Eastern Command.

We were informed of your discovery.

The Inspector General ordered us to take it from here.

Good work, really. Very well done.

Lieutenant General, can we talk in private a moment?

These are war weapons. -Indeed.

As you know, the Bundeswehr now owns all NPA arms.

Here's my suggestion:

We stick tracking devices

on everything and see who turns up.

What was your name? -Simon.

A MiG engine fuels a MiG fighter jet, Mr Simon.

Next to it are GS-23 cruise missiles

designed for MiG fighter jets, with radar support.

So yes, you're right, these are war weapons.

Someone is exploiting all this chaos right now

to stuff their own pockets.

For the Inspector General, destroying these arms has top priority.

Look,

the sort of people who move weapons like that on this scale

are capable of anything. Do you realise that?

They've already killed a man.

And this is the one chance we have to find out who it was.

Who are these people?

I think this question should have top priority.

In 48 hours, we're taking it all away. -Good.

Frauke and Holger are watching the weapons at the barracks.

But we still need trackers. -"Trackers"?

Yes, and reinforcement at the barracks.

I can get trackers, no problem. -Wait, so phones...

A Ms Laurenz left these for you, and...

Telephones are tricky but trackers no problem? Okay.

And reinforcement too. -I'll sort it.

Look what was left for us!

Do you know the bureaucratic detours involved in requesting more staff?

The process is...

State Secretary Bohr. -Yes.

I wish we'd known... -Not to worry.

It was a spontaneous trip.

I wish I could have made the conference. May I?

The chocolates? -Oh, help yourself.

Thank you.

I hope my video address went down well? -Oh yes, very well.

Oh, this is Peter Simon, he's investigating the murder and the arms.

The Americans and Russians summoned me to Berlin.

NPA disarmament is internationally regulated.

If we don't comply to the letter, they'll be very unhappy.

Just be careful.

You're in diplomatic quicksand with this case.

Brandy, yum.

Yes, but it might... -The Chancellor wants nationwide peace.

But at the same time, he lets Stasi employees just tiptoe away.

All across the country.

Meaning East German networks are active. -Which is where we come in.

We're dealing with crime. -Serious crime.

Which they want you to solve fast. These are good.

Friends, don't forget...

we're still the enemy to these guys.

Say hi to your wife for me.

Goodbye.

I've been divorced for years.

Morning!

Can you feel your creative energy flowing?

I feel like I don't have a chair. -A chair?

Chairs are to the back, what alcohol is to the liver.

We need to foster creativity.

We need to show ZERV we're good. -We are good.

But I still need a chair. -So, where are we with Trockland?

He seemed to be onto an arms deal. We're looking into it.

And how's it going with ZERV? -What do you mean?

What are they saying about me... us? -About what?

Right. Stay on the ball!

Morning. -Morning.

Hey. -Hey.

What have you got? -I traced Trockland's phone calls.

He often called a Hans-Joachim Gärster.

We should look into him. Formerly in CoCo.

Later, an adviser for the disarmament of the NPA.

Good. Find anything weapon-related at the cottage?

No, just out-of-date jam.

Then I'll have to take another look. -Hey, this ball is great! Lucky you!

Take it, please. -Thanks, hun, I will!

CRIME SCENE DO NOT ENTER

Police! Come out!

Mum! What are you doing here? You can't just break in!

I didn't break in, ... I just wanted to say goodbye.

Say goodbye? Here? -Yes.

We had a lot of really good times here together.

You were seeing each other?

You should have told me! -It was a long time ago.

We barely saw one another after.

How long ago?

What about Dad? -We had long drifted apart.

Karo, this is all ancient history.

And I would like to know the details.

He's been dead for five years.

Mum...

We have no proof that he's dead... -He's dead!

The body was never found! -It's in the river somewhere!

You need to make peace with the past.

Let it go.

The past has not yet made its peace with us.

I'm going.

Where are they headed?

Holger? -Yes?

Do you also feel like we're not welcome here?

Why? We're not half bad.

Especially you.

Holger...

Please get to the point.

Go out to dinner with me.

No. -Dancing?

On Leipziger Strasse, you can party in an old bank vault.

I'd like to go there, with you.

Sounds good.

Right,

trackers are attached to the cruise missiles and the engine,

and there's no sign we were ever here.

Do you know how this works? -Yes.

I'm a radio nerd. I'll teach Holger. -I believe it.

Have you checked the lists? -Yes.

The person responsible for destroying the Makarov pistols was... Gärster.

Perfect. Bring it out.

Can I have your attention?

Everyone, this is Andreas.

Our new colleague. Please make him feel welcome.

Carsten, lost his job, and then his wife ran off to Würzburg

with the first Porsche driver she met.

Anna, she survived cancer but early pension doesn't cover the rent.

Wolfgang, who can no longer teach,

and Marianne, who was evicted from her home.

You know the rest, all East Berlin town musicians.

Eat up, hope you enjoy. -Thank you!

Mr Gärster. -Ah, Columbus!

Come to see what the natives eat.

Have a seat. It's solyanka.

Homemade. -Thank you.

Well?

Something very odd happened last night, Mr Gärster.

We drive out to an old warehouse,

open the huge doors, and what do we find?

No idea.

NPA weapons.

Huge quantities. Some brand new. -Really?

Including several pistols that you should have destroyed.

I was just the middleman.

I didn't drive the trucks and watch them get crushed.

Where did you find them?

I can't say.

I see.

You think I belong to a network of old Stasi officers

who wake up from wet dreams of the good old Wall.

Bon appétit! -Thank you.

Schubert, Berlin, Homicide. Mr Simon, you're here.

My colleague Karoline Schubert from the East Berlin, Homicide.

Hello. -Solyanka?

No thanks, I already ate. -Well,

I think we're done here.

I'll brief you now, okay? -"Brief" me?

Karoline Schubert? -Yes?

Aren't you Axel Schubert's daughter? The logistics guy.

Is that right? -Yes.

Axel and I knew each other well from CoCo.

Horrible business with the accident.

He was a sly one. Always a step ahead of the rest.

Colleague! When were you going to tell me about Gärster?

We're a team, that's highly unprofessional.

You're hardly one to talk!

When were you planning on telling me

your dad was in CoCo and knew the suspect?

He transported antiques from East to West.

Trockland was a family friend.

And he and my mum were having an affair,

which I only just found out an hour ago.

Right, great!

This is madness!

You're personally involved, you realise that?

How will this work?

I'll find Trockland's killer without you.

"Brief" me...

"Brief" me!

I can't work with this woman, Hans. I just can't.

What do you mean, "you can't"?

Make an effort. They weren't exactly praying for our arrival.

Have you checked her out? -Yes. She's clean.

You see? Exactly. Please check her again.

Her mum was involved with the victim. Her dad was in CoCo.

She couldn't be more part of the system. -That's quite normal here.

Relax, will you? Go for a nice meal, go see a film.

Berlin is... an interesting city.

I love this car.

Hear how she purrs?

No more “chug, chug, chug...

It's a dream, isn't it?

Do you know Berlin at all? -Hm?

When the Wall fell, I spent days just driving around the city.

I remember the first time I drove on the AVUS.

I felt like a race-car driver!

And was this always your dream? To drive a taxi?

No, this is all thanks to John Crawford.

Who? -John Crawford, the coach.

From Florida, USA.

I went to his seminar at the Kempinski Hotel.

It cost 450 DM, but it was worth every penny.

That's when I became my own boss.

The world's changing. People want mobility. It's exciting.

You need to be part of it, John said.

Know what?

Boom.

We're off the metre. I'm taking you on a city tour.

Another time. Sorry, today is difficult.

I see. -Yes.

I talk too much, don't 1?

No, no, no.

Great. Thanks, Andi. Keep the change.

Thank you.

You can call me 24/7, okay?

Okay.

Sorry, love, the FBI is here. -Good evening.

Thank you.

Now, if this were cold...

Thanks. I need that.

I need your help.

You defected.

My wife fled two days before us, stowed in a car boot.

Lisa and I went through the woods.

How old was your daughter? -Three.

You took a huge risk, Mr Merker.

It was a stupid idea.

It had snowed, it was up to my knees.

I carried her tightly in my arms.

I told her we were looking for arctic hares.

We wore all white so we wouldn't be seen.

Border guards appeared and we hid.

Then we pushed on to the border.

Suddenly, bright lights.

And there they were, shouting at us.

They tore Lisa from my arms and pushed me into the snow.

She was crying.

I tried to tell her it was going to be okay,

but they pushed me harder into ground.

I couldn't breathe.

Then everything went black.

I couldn't do anything.

And your daughter was... -She was given to a communist family.

Did your wife file a request? -What can I get you?

Would you like a beer, or...?

I'll take a soda water.

Good.

My wife had cancer. She died six months later.

I'm sorry.

And child protective services? -I wrote to them so many times.

But not even my sister or mother were allowed to take her.

Why are you coming to me?

I read in the paper

that you're here to achieve justice.

I don't know if that's possible.

But you don't look like someone who just poses for the photo.

You look like someone who also has a family.

Who understands.

Hey. Posing for a taxi pin-up calendar?

Your mum sorted out your dad's old records.

I wanted to bring them over.

Remember Silvie's club opening tomorrow. -What club?

At the squat on Schwedter Strasse.

Where our daughter now lives? -Yes, it's in my diary.

Good. -I'll be there.

Shall I come up?

I'm sleeping alone.

I give Peter a ride sometimes.

You call him "Peter" now, huh? -He's a bit odd, right?

Something's up with him. -He's up himself, that's for sure.

In the East, we like to act dumb. But in the West, it's no act.

Good night. -Sleep well.

Did you and Peter work together in Bremen?

Yes, he's the one who brought me to Berlin.

You're quite close then? -Yes.

Are you trying to ask me if we have a past?

That was a joke.

Here.

What's that?

Look.

Wild boars. -Okay.

And now?

See you tonight? -Yes.

Great, I can't wait.

Bye, hun.

What have you reeled in now?

A problem, that's what.

That's Ingo from Hanover, he's involved in property.

Filthy rich then? -Definitely filthy.

So what's the problem? -I think he wants more.

So I told him I'm married and have twins.

A police officer, lying? -It's so much fun, honestly.

My twins are called Max and Moritz, so I don't forget. Morning!

I've got to run. There's a Stasi file on Trockland at the archives.

We're here for head of child services, Mr Herrich.

Please follow me.

Wait here.

We have an appointment. -I know.

How long will it take? -As long as it takes.

Right, take a seat.

What do you mean, nothing...?

No, they're coming. Yes. -Hello.

Go ahead.

I promise. -Let's take a seat.

Mum, listen...

I'll call you later, and we'll sort it out, okay?

Okay, bye, bye, bye.

So, Mr Herrich, we spoke on the phone.

Mr Merker wants to regain custody of his daughter.

He's been here twice and has written.

But not much has happened. So we've come to pick up the files.

He fled the GDR with a child who was then adopted...

Forced adoption.

We believe, politically motivated. -Yes.

Mr Merker violated effectual East German law.

Well, Mr Herrich, Paragraph 213 of the GDR Criminal Code

aimed at those that cross an unlawful boundary,

was not justice, it was injustice.

And you simply cannot criminally violate

that which is legally unjust.

The adoption was compliant with the law.

No, sorry, it was an abuse of the power of the law,

an ideological exploitation of the justice system.

Mr Merker was in prison.

And incapable of raising his child. -That's not...

It's just cynical, Mr Herrich!

It was cynical to lock Mr Merker up for eight years.

That was the most severe sentence and completely disproportionate.

It is inhuman to lock up a man with a three-year-old child

and then later tell him he would have been unfit to raise his daughter.

And what about my rights?

They were trampled all over. -I'm aware of that.

Please don't think me indifferent.

But Mr Simon and his colleagues are from another country,

another society, and want to teach us

the difference between right and wrong?

I think we are capable of tackling any injustice that occurred here ourselves.

Don't you? -Then do it, for God's sake!

Help us find these files.

We tried.

We looked for the files and found nothing.

It's a dead-end. I'm sorry.

If you have any more questions, contact Ms Winter.

I have an appointment. -Yes, we all do.

All the best, Mr Merker.

That bastard!

Maybe he's right.

I shouldn't have done it.

I should never have done it.

There's a file for everything in Germany.

Everything. There must be something out there.

And we'll find it.

Text passages referring to other affected persons

or third parties, are anonymised.

Real or code names of Stasi employees are not anonymised.

Please stay at this table while reading.

We close at 4:30 PM.

Thank you.

TROCKLAND FILE

"RED RIDING HOOD", "GOLDMOUTH", "WOLF"

MERKUR HOTEL PHOTOS

"INFORMANT CASSANDRA"

Here you are! I've looked everywhere.

I need your help.

We need a moment.

Trockland was in Leipzig the day my dad disappeared.

His file says he photographed the Merkur. -So what?

He knew of deals between "Goldmouth", "Red Riding Hood" and "Wolf"

and had an informant, "Cassandra". And there's more:

He was also in jail almost a year, which my mum never told me.

You want me to solve the code names? -I need to know what he photographed.

It's just too strange.

The same night, my dad's car ends up in the river...

No one asked where he was going or coming from.

Everyone just accepted it. -Karo...

And now Trockland is hanging dead from a tree.

I'll eat my hat if it isn't all connected.

Karo, I don't know if... -What?

I'm counting on you.

Please.

Excuse me? Is it okay if I put this up on the wall?

Yes, fine. -Yes? Thanks.

Damn. -Hello.

Ms Winter? Excuse me.

If anything comes to mind, for you or your colleagues...

ANY LEADS ON FORCED ADOPTIONS?

Will do. -Thank you.

I don't believe it!

Gärster.

Reiko, turn it down.

Yes, I know.

That wasn't the deal.

What do you think?

No way.

This is fucking ridiculous!

Hello?

What a bastard...

What's up? -Nothing.

I can help. -No!

I want to... -I made a promise to your dad.

I don't care! -You're going to study in Greifswald!

Hans? -We're in here! So...

Ah! -It works!

"Reinforcements no sooner than three days.

Officers working the international match.”

No reinforcements?

Everyone wants to see the world champions. -What if...?

What if something happens? Our people need protection!

I have tried everything!

Please, just be careful.

With whom am I speaking?

What good's a fax machine if it spits out the wrong answers?

Here, Walter.

Peter? -Yes?

A woman says we're looking for the files in the wrong place.

She says to check the Berlin district offices.

What?

Anonymous tip? -Yes.

Yes...

Alrighty then...

Hi.

Hi.

Silvie?

Hello. -Hey.

Nice place. -We're calling it "Yesterday".

Put a wax figure of me in the corner, yes?

Good luck with it, girls. -Luck is for cowards.

Wish us a good time, instead. -Then I wish you a good time.

What's wrong?

Did you know your Grandma had an affair? -What?

That's cool. -Cool?

Well, it never hurts. Right, Mum?

Oh, we're opening. -What can I do?

We still need two crates of B.

B? -CPB, it's all squatters need.

Coal for heat, plaster for renovations... - I get it.

In the cellar. Thanks.

Oh, yeah!

Okay, let's go!

In three, two, one...

Would the ladies of the night like a drink?

Beer! -Beer!

Good.

Beer.

Sorry I reacted so badly, Mum.

You clearly needed to get something out.

Yes.

And there's more.

I looked at Trockland's files.

He was in Leipzig the day Dad died.

And he was with you at your house when he was arrested.

What happened, Mum?

Mum, please.

Yes, well...

Matthias arrived from Leipzig that night.

He was so worked up, I'd never seen him like that.

He told me to tell them he'd spent the night with me.

"Who's "them'?" I asked. "Who do I need to tell?"

Then there was a knock at the door. It all happened so fast.

He hid in the cellar, and I tried to distract them.

But they found him.

Then they took us away.

Him and me.

That was when they told me

that Dad had died in a car accident.

They didn't let up.

They kept questioning me about Dad, about Matthias,

over and over, it lasted all night.

Until I couldn't take it anymore, |I...

I betrayed him, Karo.

Were you "Informant Cassandra"?

What? An informant? Me?

How can you even ask me that?

I'm sorry. Forget I asked.

Stop that.

Well...

I'll just open a window.

Go home, it's been a long day.

For you both.

You can't keep watch alone all night.

I spoke to Thieme, reinforcement's on its way.

Okay. -Yes?

Are you sure?

Bye.

What's wrong?

I---

I think I'm going to stay. -But we were going to go dancing!

Tomorrow, okay?

Come on, let's go.

See you tomorrow.

There is no reinforcement, right?

We've got the trackers... Honestly, you can go home.

Okay, thanks.

I'm sure Holger is quite disappointed.

I'm sure Holger will survive.

We're going dancing tomorrow.

In an old bank vault, how crazy is that?

Here.

Berlin doesn't help, right?

I wish you could let go a little.

Come out with us tomorrow.

Have you ever been to a techno club?

No. -It's seriously amazing!

Listen, it's amazing.

Because the bass makes your stomach sort of flutter,

and your body's physical boundaries sort of disappear.

And everyone's the same.

It doesn't matter if you're from the East or West.

You don't think, you just feel. Fully in the moment.

Total freedom.

It sounds great.

But I think I'm just too old for that now.

You're right.

No, you're not. You can never be too old for that.

Come with us.

I just can't.

Go home, hun!

Soon.

Bye.

Hello?

I see something. -One minute.

Hello? -Schubert? Hello?

Hi, Simon. I just went through Trockland's Stasi file again...

You found his Stasi file?

He was in Leipzig in '86 and was taking photos.

There are these strange code names like "Goldmouth”, "Red Riding Hood" and "Wolf".

"Red Riding Hood" and "Wolf"?

Yes, that's right.

Shortly after, he was arrested.

It's possible my mother was involved... -Schubert?

Hello? Schubert? I can barely hear you.

I just wanted to let you know.

Right, yes, thanks for calling. -No worries.

Hello?

You're okay. Come here, you're okay.

Subtitles: Samson & Fritaud Text, Berlin