Original subtitles

Jewish daycare Amsterdam, 1943

Daniel...

Bye, Daniel.

The Jewish Council 4. The longest night

Thank you. See you later.

Give my love to your sister.

Ask her to dinner again.

See you tonight.

I can't do this.

I can't take this responsibility.

Not for the children nor for the staff.

I don't have the strength. I'm sorry, Piet.

Of course you have the strength, we all saw it these past few months.

The poor girl.

Maartje made a decision.

It's a terrible, but personal decision, you can't blame yourself.

Did you talk to her parents?

No, they're all gone.

Her sister too, everyone.

We all do what we can, Virrie.

That's all you can expect of yourself.

- Did it go well with Daniel and the baby? - Yes, it was fine. No problem.

I have some more.

The two eldest can go through the kindergarten

and the baby will be picked up in Oosterpark at four o'clock.

She had hung the washing first.

That was the most...

The coroner is here.

I'm sorry.

Gentlemen, SS-Obersturmbannführer Eichmann called to congratulate me

with the progress we've made in Amsterdam.

Of the 80,000 Jews that were still living in Amsterdam in May last year,

40,000 have been evacuated by now.

Now half of the Jewish population has been efficiently handled,

the Jewish Council will also be reduced to half its size.

It employs 14,000 people over the entire country and half of them will have to go.

- No, that's impossible. - We can't do that, Mr. Sturmbannführer.

These people are necessary for the workings of the Council...

7,000 people.

Either you pick the names or we do.

We'll just pick random letters from the alphabet

and all names starting with those letters will be deported.

- This is unacceptable. - You can't ask this of us. 7,000 people.

All of the passes have been revoked as of now.

You get 72 hours.

Of course, we have...

protested against this, but it was made clear

that we need to follow all orders without contesting them,

otherwise there will be repercussions.

'That will be a complete nightmare for the Dutch Jews.'

End of quote.

But they can't expect us to...

To me this is such a dishonourable task

- that the Council cannot execute it. - Agreed.

I suggest we adjourn this meeting for a brief intermission.

So, everyone can have the opportunity to think about this.

But do remember...

Refusing this means that we will be completely at the mercy of the Germans.

- We already are. - If we don't agree to this...

means that we will no longer be able to support the weakest members

of our community.

And then this will be completely out of our hands.

As presidents we ask you to trust us

to take the most tactical approach...

to this task.

I'm adjourning the meeting

for twenty minutes.

Daddy asked me to send you his love. And he asked you to dinner.

I don't want to, Mir.

- Are you in love with Piet? - No.

We're friends.

I think he has a whole bunch of girlfriends.

First it was that blonde, Jenny.

- And now it's another girl again. - Really?

What will you do if Dad finds out?

- That you have someone... - I don't, I told you.

Nine, ten, eleven...

twelve.

Thirteen.

The Council unanimously supports the motion.

Miss Levie?

Did you write it down?

Then I would like to thank all of you for your dedication and commitment.

The meeting is closed.

Miss Levie, are you coming?

There's no time to lose.

Tell the section leaders that we need to see them right away.

Start with the largest sections.

Bram, might I ask where you're going?

I can't do this.

Would you like some coffee?

Yes, that's very kind of you.

And the Council agreed to this?

We have to give the names of people for transport?

How do you see this?

- The people in our sections are colleagues. - They're friends.

- Many of them are family. How can we... - We will have to

make difficult decisions and I understand that this is hard for you.

We can't give up now. Then all our work of these past years will have been in vain.

The point is and that's what it has always been about

that we play for time.

- The Germans are losing the war... - I thought we had agreed

to never again provide the Germans with lists of names.

We're not doing that, we are sending out the notices.

- I'm not participating in this. - Ms Van Tijn.

- I hand in my resignation right now. - You can't hand in your resignation,

because you're not officially employed by this institution.

At your own request.

And I am urging you to continue your work for the people leaving on the transports.

This is not the time

nor the circumstance to turn your back on your people.

I will continue working for the Council under protest,

but I want to see it noted clearly

that I am not compiling any lists of names.

A, B and C.

A... the people that are absolutely indispensable.

B... the people that are necessary for work.

And C.

The...

Those who can be missed.

These people can take a baby and these have room for an older child.

Miss Levie...

- Cornelia? - I was just passing by.

- Yes, well, I'm sorry... - I'm not here for you.

I'm here for Miss Levie.

So, don't let me keep you.

No...

- When you have a moment. - I'll be right there.

- I'll let you work. - I'll pass it on to Mr. Susskind.

Good luck in the coming days, Miss Levie.

Kleerekooper is absolutely indispensable.

- He's your nephew. - And a dentist, we need them.

And he's just had a baby.

These are more families that can take in a child from Mrs. Cohen.

I'll try and get to the theatre later.

Mr. Susskind?

Can you come to my office?

Right now, please.

What you're doing is not my business as long as I don't know about it.

- It's easy, let me talk to the mother... - What you are going to do,

is make sure the boy is back by tomorrow at eleven, otherwise

- I can't answer for the consequences. - Mr. Cohen.

I'm not in a position to turn a blind eye.

It jeopardises my relationship with the occupier and puts the community in danger.

What do you mean?

I think I was clear.

If you don't settle this, I can no longer ignore your doings.

So, half of the people need to go?

I said I'm not sending anyone away, but...

Try and find a place to go in hiding, I'll help you.

I have my parents.

My mother is ill.

We'll figure something out, it will be okay.

You're indispensable to me. Come on.

Sam?

It's me.

What's wrong?

The boy we took out yesterday, Daniel, he needs to come back.

His mother regrets her decision.

She's panicking, I'll talk to her.

Susskind already tried that, she's adamant and...

And what?

She talked to the Council and Daniel needs to be back by 11 or we're in trouble.

That's nonsense. Daniel is in a good place, he's safe.

- If he's in the streets again... - I know.

It's an unnecessary risk, for you too.

- His mother should... - I know, but we can't help it.

I'll bring the boy back by a quarter to eleven at the latest.

I fell asleep, I have to get back to the office.

Where did you get this?

It's from a friend.

- Did you ever consider... - Sam, don't say it.

I don't know how much longer I can cope with being locked in here.

Without any hope.

I won't let myself be carried off like cattle.

Sam, I have children.

I can't lose the hope of seeing them again.

Just hang in there for a little while longer.

Miss Levie, you're the person I need to help me out.

Could you make sure these people are taken off the list?

- It's crucial that they stay in Amsterdam. - Mr. Asher, it's not up to me...

It's my responsibility.

Can I count on you?

I can't take it anymore.

What do you want from me? I can't take it anymore.

I can't just do this. I can't do this anymore.

Asher and Cohen think this is a good idea. Well, they can do it then.

I'm not doing it anymore.

Let them shoot me then.

Calm down.

I quit as well.

- People, let's try... - I've had it.

I'm sorry, Professor Cohen, but we really can't do this.

Half of the people on this list have died or have already been deported.

The Germans won't check every name, but this...

is really blatant.

Who composed these lists?

Professor Cohen, you really need to come with me.

I understand how big an ask this is,

but the survival of the Jewish community is in your hands.

Mr. Cohen, this is completely useless.

- No one will respond to this call. - Everyone needs to take responsibility.

Isn't it our responsibility to decline this order?

All of these horrible things happen anyway.

Exactly.

So, why not take a sun bath to save our strengths for Poland?

Miss Levie, you are not able to be the judge of that.

Those notices need to be sent out.

- Mr. Cohen? - Just a moment.

I'll be right there.

That Asher... First he can't take it and then he just showed up last night

with a load of names to take off the list, because they're indispensable.

his secretary?

His maid.

Have you heard the joke about Cohen and Asher?

The last of the Jews in Amsterdam.

Half of the Jews need to leave

You go, to prevent things from getting worse.

Isn't it bewildering?

Nature doesn't care at all about everything that's going on here.

Miss Levie?

There you are.

I need to go to the theatre. The definitive lists are on your desk.

If you could check and correct them, so the notices can be typed out?

We only have a few hours left.

Your request will probably be granted.

I'll be right back.

I did it too.

I asked for an exception.

For a girl in my department.

Virrie?

Thank God.

Do you want something to eat, Daniel?

And you?

- Miss Cohen? - Yes, dear?

Did I do something wrong that I had to come back?

Of course not.

Your mum just wants to have you with her.

We need to go.

These are the last ones.

Take a deep breath in.

And breathe out.

These are my parents.

Come on, let's have a cup of tea.

Who's doing the dishes?

You know what...

We don't have the time.

Where is that pretty Jewish girl that pretends to be the boss here?

Can I help you?

Sure you can.

Maybe you'd like some coffee, Mr. Aus der Fünten?

The daycare is being closed.

All children will be deported.

Tomorrow at five, all children need to be in the theatre.

A sip, Miss Cohen?

Everything has been sent out.

I'm going to get some sleep.

Miss Levie...

thank you for your unrelenting dedication.

Maybe you should go and rest as well.

Tomorrow afternoon, they're all going away.

We only have tonight and tomorrow morning.

Susskind found some more families that can take children on.

Van der Hulst from kindergarten can take on 12 older children.

We need to be creative with the little ones.

We just have to, Piet.

I don't know how, but we have to.

Some of them will have to go back, you know that.

We can't hide everyone, that's impossible.

You'll have to choose.

Teuntje?

Go to sleep, honey.

There you go.

Be quiet, angel.

- Do you want me to do it? - No, I'll be fine.

Be quiet.

Hush, little baby.

Hush, little baby.

My girl...

Daddy...

Do you want some help?

We've missed you lately.

There you go.

- Can I take this with me? - Of course, darling.

Take good care of him.

Come on, let's go to your parents.

Take each other's hands.

please forgive me all my love, S

Virrie?

I let them go, Piet.

I let them go to the other side.

Do you think...

Do you think we'll ever see them again?

Do you think they'll come back?

I don't know.

I hope so, but...

I don't know.

I also got a notice.

I don't mind, really.

It's actually a relief.

- Now I can give up. - You can't leave.

- Really, you're indispensable. - No, I'm not.

- No one is indispensable. - Only you know where the children are.

What if parents come back after the war, and let's hope that's the case,

only you can help them find their children.

I'll arrange a hiding place for you, there's no other way.

- I'm tired. - Come on.

Hey, let's go.

My dearest...

Get in. Faster. Go on, move it.

As expected, very few people responded to the notices.

Go on, faster.

Well, that's not 7,000 people.

Faster.

All of this horrible, degrading work,

those depressing nights at the Jewish Council...

Didn't I tell you? You should have left it up to the Germans.

Move.

All the bickering, sadness and pain.

And what did it bring us?

Two months respite for some.

Shortly after this, the Germans rounded up everyone that hadn't come forward.

And now, a few months later...

the last of the indispensable ones have received a transport notice.

Tomorrow, the last train is leaving for Westerbork.

And then Amsterdam will officially be 'Judenrein'.

I'm also leaving on the transport to Westerbork tomorrow.

And after that, eastward.

God knows where I'll end up.

I keep believing that we'll see each other again some day.

As long as I know that you're thinking of me and waiting for me,

I am not afraid.

Mum, Dad and Mirjam

Go to Dr. Roos in Weteringschans street. He'll take you to my mum in Bussum.

I'll bring you a new ID in a few days.

dear Mum, Dad and Mirjam I need to hide for the children

I am safe and wish you all the best love, Virrie