All language subtitles for Strohfeuer.1972.dvdrip_[1.46].sub.eng

A FREE WOMAN

a film by VOLKER SCHLONDORFF

and MARGARETHE VON TROTTA

At least today you could
have been on time.

Good morning, Mrs. Junker.
Please come right in.

Would you please swap seats?

Your IDs, please.

Submitted to the court is:
The case Junker vs. Junker.

Mrs. Junker, would you
please step forward?

First your personal data,
please.

What's your name?

Elisabeth Junker, born
Odelsdorf.

- To be sure: Elisabeth Charlotte?
- Yes.

- And Odelsdorf with two Fs?
- No, with one.

- When were you born?
- May 25th 1943.

- And your profession?
- None.

Didn't you keep house?

Yes.

Housewife then.

She's an educated foreign
language clerk.

- Which is it to be?
- I worked as a foreign language clerk.

Write down: Foreign language
clerk.

When did you get married?

On March 18th 1966.

- Did you have a child in your marriage?
- Yes, a son.

Nikolas Alexander.

- His date of birth, please.
- June 7th of 1967.

When was the last conjugal
sexual intercourse?

It's written in the indictment,
in February I think.

Your husband said January 2nd.
Is that right?

If he says so, it's certainly
right.

Since when have you had
separate households?

That's also in the indictment,
I think since January.

- It says "the beginning of January".
- Yes.

Your husband accuses you of leaving
him maliciously, without reason.

- Did your husband ask you
to return to him? - Yes.

- And you refused?
- Yes.

- In that case you are the guilty
party in the divorce. - Yes.

- Do you agree with that?
- Yes.

This is the verdict in the Name
of the People:

1. The marriage is divorced with the
exclusive guilt of the defendant.

2. The defendant will bear
all costs.

Can I drive you anywhere?
One last time.

Thanks, but I'm motorized.

Do you even know how to
drive that thing?

If you'd had that earlier I'd have
saved myself quite a few trips.

You only needed to lend me
the car.

Well then. Adieu.

- A Judas kiss!
- You misinterpret everything.

Sun King! It doesn't suit me.

You haven't one with blonde
curls?

Ah, yes.

Oh, a wig doesn't suit me.
I don't have the right head.

Something more regular maybe?

I'll give it a try.

- That one looks good, Miss.
- Miss? I'll take that one.

Sorry, Madame. You're married.

- Hi Theo!
- I didn't recognize you.

- You look nice.
- It's a wig.

You look quite different.

May I present: Oskar Merz,
an old school friend.

- And Kruger, you know him.
- Shall we sit over there?

- Thanks for asking if they had a job.
- Unfortunately without results.

- What?
- Well, you're a translator,

and especially for French
there are so many.

- The latest trend is non-fiction.
- Crime thrillers? What about those?

We don't publish crime thrillers. But how
about Hans Helmut's new series.

- Would you like something to eat?
- It tastes good. I'll have it as well.

- And what are you drinking?
- Red wine as well.

I made different preparations
on my own.

But translating is a hard job nowadays,
he knows what I'm talking about.

It's easier from English. There are
more English translations.

- I also speak a little English.
- But you also need expertise.

You could do proofreading, but need
to know the dictionary by heart.

I can actually manage
orthography.

- What about advertising?
- You heard what Mrs. Lobrecht said?

- Yes, I did.
- Well, since the marriage...

Hans Helmut! Welcome.

- Hello, Hans Helmut.
- Hi!

Oskar Merz, a school friend.
He's in Munich by chance.

- Hello.
- Not by chance.

Sit down. Have you eaten?

I guess a whole new life's
starting.

He's working on a non-fiction
series.

A teacher's a great job, but it takes
too long to finish the training.

What a pity.

Unless you start when you're 18.

- Give me a call next time you're
in Munich. - Good, OK.

Well. Bye.

- Are you driving to Frankfurt?
- Yes. - Could you give me a lift?

- That took forever. - Sorry, I had
to pick up some stuff.

What will you do in Frankfurt?

I've friends who'll maybe
find me a job.

Your friends can really get on
one's nerves.

I thought Theo was your friend.

- Do you have a dime?
- A woman should always have one.

Do you have another? The first
doesn't always work.

- Shall we have a coffee then?
- Okay.

- Are you divorced?
- Since this morning.

- I'm sorry.
- That's perfectly alright.

I got on well with your husband.
Didn't you have much in common?

He tends to impress people. He's
nine years older than me.

How old are you?

I'll soon be thirty.

Stop!

It's not allowed on the highway.
He should get a job and go by train.

That's what my father would say.

Wait here, I won't be long.

- Where shall I take you?
- The station, I'll go back to Munich.

- Anything happen?
- You shouldn't have brought me.

I'll drive you back, it's only
500 kilometres.

With that weather and fog tonight
it'll take around eight hours.

Tomorrow I'm back at work.

- What's your work?
- Civil engineering.

- Do women do that?
- Not much.

- Can I at least invite you to dinner?
- Thank you. - We've hardly talked yet.

- Shouldn't we go the cinema?
- Best is the Aki near the station.

Why do you need to go back?

I talked to my lawyer on the phone,
about child custody.

I need to prove I'm settled
down.

A social worker might come
anytime to check on my flat.

Good morning.

- Where were you all night?
- I'll tell you later.

There's an auction at Edemann's.
Want to come?

Old jewellery and porcelain.
We need some bowls.

I'm too tired.

- Already?
- I was in Frankfurt for a job.

- With whom?
- Don't worry. I won't marry him.

You couldn't abide it for
two days.

It won't last anyway.

- Niki. How are you? Alright?
- Have you something for me?

Oh Niki. I can't always bring
you something. Do I have to?

- That one had another colour.
- Did you paint all those sharks, Niki?

Look, what Richard paints is beautiful.
It's so wonderfully blue.

My painting is beautiful too.

Maybe you could try it like this.

- I'm finished.
- Let's go.

Niki's found a new friend
at kindergarten.

I bought some green beans.

- Don't you want to marry again?
- I can take care of myself.

- Then I could move in with you.
- Don't you like your apartment anymore?

You should do something with
your hair.

You always managed to attract
men.

I don't need that.

But you enjoyed being married.

- So why did I get divorced?
- Well...

Don't you want to come back?

Helmut would certainly forgive
you.

You weren't married either.

I couldn't have got used
to a man.

- Couldn't you have called first?
- I did.

I don't want you around when I'm here.
You can always see him in the afternoon.

I waited for you because of the
advance for the anthology.

I got into a higher tax bracket
because of you.

But I did most of the work.

And I'll pay for the divorce,
even for your lawyer.

Don't forget that you caused
this whole mess.

You just came for the money.

Go play with Mimi.

There's a good story by Graham Greene
you should include.

A couple with problems meets
by chance in a porn theatre.

At first they are both embarrassed,

but then, back home, they can
finally have sex again.

Should we have tried that
as well?

It's a good story and not
too long.

Translate it and send it to me.

I'll evaluate and correct it.

Look, cute breasts.

Niki...

It's your bedtime.

- Brushed your teeth, Niki? - We always
do that. - Really?

Well, come on.

Stop it. Come on.

- Let's go.
- I'll come to say "Good night".

It's late. You need to sleep
now.

Good night. Sleep well.

Disgusting.

Without you I wouldn't be
here.

How do you like this one?

Since the day you showed up I've not
done any meaningful work.

Here's a group picture.

I had other plans than correcting
such crap.

And as an employee.

- I didn't want to get married.
- That's a good one.

Back then I could still have
written my own stuff.

- Then give Niki to me and...
- So that you have everything.

You won't get Niki.

I decide for my child.

- Don't mess with my books.
- I'm just taking mine.

You could at least leave me
my library.

I've a right to half these books,
by our divorce laws.

Not if you just decamp
like you did.

Still...

Take your books.

I don't want your library.
I can buy one myself.

Can I have one?

Thanks.

I'm looking for a job.

I don't mean short term, but
something permanent.

What's your profession?

Foreign language clerk.

I was married but want to
start over again now.

Are you sociable? You'll need a friendly
face. Why that wrinkle?

We need young people with language
skills for the Olympic Games.

- I don't know much about sports.
- That's beside the point.

It's really sightseeing tours
in the city.

For contact between the delegates.
You might be suitable.

But that's only temporary.

It doesn't help. Besides, I'd like
to learn something new.

Companies don't like to invest
in women of your age.

You're almost thirty.

How about data processing?
Apprenticeship's paid. English required.

Feed computers? I've been
a housewife for five years.

Sales agent for cosmetic products?
French required.

I find cosmetics pretty
superfluous.

Weather broadcaster
for English tourists.

Microphone voice required.

- Obviously just for the summer months.
- In that case...

You know, I want to use my
personality.

To be challenged, to get personally
involved.

Nurse? Child welfare?
Paediatric nurse?

You'd like something like that?
A typical woman's career?

- And how much do you earn?
- 900 to 1000 DM. - A month?

Well that's a proper salary
for a woman.

I can't live off that.
I've got a child.

I get the feeling you don't
actually want to work.

I think you just want something
interesting,

to emancipate and develop
yourself.

- Please follow me!
- Could I take a picture with you?

- What did you say?
- Could I take a picture with you?

One moment please.
Please follow me!

I don't understand what the
gentleman means.

May I help you? What do
you want?

- He wants a picture taken with you.
- So that's it.

All those things I've always
pined for

Gee I'd like to see you looking
swell, Baby

Diamond bracelets with
a dazzling spell, Baby

Till that lucky day you know
that well, Baby

I can't give you anything but...

Love

Well, that's nice. But tell me:
What do you actually want?

To learn how to sing.

- Have you ever sung before?
- No.

Well, it always seems so easy.

Your voice isn't developed,
it hasn't been awoken.

You could say it's like a baby.

How's your musical sense?

Can you play music, can you
read music?

- I had piano lessons as a child.
- Oh, at least that's something.

Now try to sing something different,
not that easy stuff.

Perhaps, I've got a song here.

The melody always
follows the piano.

Give it a try. If you can
sing it...

I'll help you. Try it.

That's enough.

- You've got musical sense.
- That was a beautiful song.

Yes, more lies beneath.

The love theme is treated with
more grace and dignity.

Instead of the woman always
appearing as a baby.

You think I could do it? How long would
it take, how much would it cost?

That's hard to say. We'll see.
Let's just start.

I'd love most to sing in
musicals.

Attention!

Bettina!

Elisabeth, it was good
for a first time.

- How long will I need to get it right?
- Two years.

- Two years?
- Two years.

- That was good. - Think so?
- Is it really your first time?

Well, when I was ten I danced ballet and
the leader wanted me to go on tour.

My mother wouldn't allow it. Didn't
want me to quit school.

- What's your job?
- In an office. As a consultant.

I'm dreaming of going
to America.

- I love Joan Crawford.
- She's so nice.

She started as a dancer too and was
known as the Charleston girl.

When she was a starlet she went out
every night to get in the papers.

Like: "Famous person invited
for the evening".

I love her. I've books about
her.

- Oh, may I borrow them?
- I've also written her a letter.

- Did she answer?
- Yes, I went crazy.

- You framed it?
- Yes, of course I did.

With her very own signature.
My proudest possession.

- What did she write?
- To Anne. Bless you. Joan Crawford.

- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.

- How much does she earn?
- Certainly not enough to make a living.

In America there are night clubs and
musicals where you can work as a dancer.

- Andy Warhol is now also making
musicals. - Oh, come on.

Our workers' appearance is of the
foremost importance for us.

I'm not against a personal touch but
the clothes need to match our style.

- Where did you work before?
- At the InterExpo'72.

A black costume would suit you.

I'm against trousers due to
aesthetic reasons.

But the InterExpo isn't
over yet...

They wanted hostesses with Japanese.
I can only speak French.

You can make use of your language
skills here.

A large part of our clients
are foreigners.

Well, well, Japanese.
And before that?

- I worked at Hedenbach a while ago.
- How long?

- Six years. I was married.
- I see.

How old are you really?
You look younger.

Is your wife working?

- Is your wife working?
- No, my salary is high enough.

You've obviously missed
the point.

And your diploma isn't relevant
today.

I'll put you in the sales division,
as an assistant.

There you'll have a chance. There you
can become a saleswoman.

For something really exquisite, let me
show you something over here.

A French couture model.

Russian O'Hara broad-tail.

Obviously the ne plus ultra
in furs.

Our house can't offer you
anything more beautiful.

Let me show you.

The usual curly Persian tends to
make one look a bit madam-like.

I'd recommend a mink collar to enhance
the contours of the face.

A fashionable coat with
timeless flair.

And since we're convinced of the quality
we will give you a five year warranty.

The small adjustments in length
are included in the price.

Can I help you?

He yelled at me again.

Why don't you yell back?
Defend yourself.

Why are you just lying there,
broad?

The wife must participate, Scholz
had read in "Marriage".

And that meant something
to listen to.

Turn around, beauty. I don't need
a face. Your hole should brew.

I don't care about manners.
Maria also had an ass.

Would Scholz's dick fit in? He sniffed
first to check it out.

The hole gaped like the gate to hell
and spread its red handles.

However Scholz didn't hesitate.
Criminy! He entered and started.

He shoved from behind.
Well begun is half done.

Maria made a few sounds.

Such a filthy thing, and at
breakfast too.

What goes on in the head
of such a person.

Actually, not bad. Have you
written more of those?

- My eighth notebook.
- And are all pornographic?

No. It's nothing to do with porn.
It's serious.

- I didn't mean it negatively.
- No yodeling ahead!

You've been asked to the
personnel office.

See my suffering here?

Why don't you quit?

They're paying well.
And I love fur.

- Niki!
- Where's your new car?

Up there.

Shall I carry it? Better like that.

- Watch out. Don't damage the hat.
- Oh, I'm sure it'll last.

Put it on?

- That's the car.
- But it isn't really new.

Yes, others have owned it.
But for me it's new.

- How fast does it go?
- 100.

- Dad's car does 180.
- Well, Dad's car's much faster.

This one's nicer. Look, I'll show
you.

I'll explain.

You can open it when
the weather's nice.

You can go up there.

- Congrats. From a generous lover?
- Can I have Niki for the weekend?

We're visiting the Eckhardts. Maybe next
Sunday. I need to finish the manuscript.

- Hi. Hi there. - Come up.
- Come on, Niki.

- Let's go back in. - Again?
- Again.

Hi, Dear.

- Do you have a cigarette?
- Sure.

He still doesn't pay?

He earns so little?

Enough for records and books. Without
you he'd need a babysitter.

I'm here anyway. I never get bored with
Niki. He always has some new ideas.

Especially now in summer we have
a great time in the garden.

A child belongs to its mother.

And the birth was so hard.
It took four days.

And he can't stay with Helmut
all the time.

He's got a new girlfriend.

But he's still sad that you
left him.

Well, I must go there.

And you know, Helmut always
insists

that Niki's in bed on time.

Oh no, I've forgotten the key.
But I've another over there.

She washed herself, shivering.

She was much too nervous to think
of something unpredictable.

The consumer society suited Monica.
She took commercial spots for real.

You can buy things you actually
can't afford.

It's about a woman who
robbed a bank.

Listen, this is the best bit: She disguised
as a man for the crime.

She binds her breasts and glues
on a moustache.

Even for a robbery you must be disguised
as a man to be taken seriously.

- Do you have a cigarette?
- Did you bring them with you?

They must still be on the table.

Perhaps she simply didn't want
to be recognized.

- A man wouldn't dress up as a woman.
- It happened in Vienna.

- A pensioner masqueraded as a woman
to get a job. - What job?

Cleaning woman.

He was caught peeing in the
men's bathroom.

- It just proves that men aren't burdened
with cleaning. - It's a woman's job.

That's why it's called
"cleaning woman".

Your friend didn't let me in. I had to
put my foot in the door.

And you brought your suitcase.

I booked a hotel room.

- He can sleep here.
- Where?

In the child's room.

Oscar. What are you doing here?
Where are you staying?

- In the hotel, as usual.
- Call me. - I will.

Who was that?

- Who was that?
- Oh, some little girl.

Shall we go?

I don't want to push you.
You decide.

Was she your ex?
Very attractive.

Let me do that.

Which hotel do you use?

Pension Adrian.

- Irm said you've not paid the rent yet.
If I can help... - We can pay ourselves.

- Don't be silly...
- You seem to get along pretty well...

You pay the rent, move
yourself in,

and we'll thank you
for protecting us?

What would Sir like?

I'd like a fur for my wife.

I congratulate you on your choice.
Furs are most laudable presents.

Furs were the kings' privilege.
And kings were our customers.

Today every customer is a king.

Furs are for everyone.

Follow me, don't be shy.

Our models present the most exclusive
furs a woman could dream of.

Chinchilla, black collar,
or white polar fox.

Greenland fur, distinguished
ocelot,

or white polar fox.

Well, Sir, what does your wife
look like?

My bride... looks like...

like...

Her there!

Me?

I want no fur!

You can't decorate me
like a golden calf.

I'm not an object of lust.
And no representation piece.

Man is man
But woman isn't woman

A woman is a vamp
Or she is a house wife

A woman is a bed bunny
Or she is a slut

If she's elegant
She's a lady

If she cleans crap
Cleaning woman

Never is a woman a woman

Only man is man

I don't want to be a vamp
And certainly no Cinderella

Not a bed bunny
Nor a slut

And I'm no lady either

I only want to be a woman

Like a man is a man

I just want to be woman

Well, nothing to do?
Adjustment!

- May I ask for an advance?
- For God's sake.

You've been here less than a month.
Wait another six at least.

Well?

And 1 and 2 and 3 and 4.
And 1 and 2 and 3...

No, no, one arm ahead.

- I'll never learn it. - Sure you will.
- No, I'm too stiff.

You just need to want it.
Let's try it with music.

Try to sing it. You know how
to sing it. Don't you?

Right?

- I can't.
- You can. Come on, just once.

Just once.

No, you always go down.
You need to go up.

Once more.

- There?
- Yes.

Let me. This one?
- That one.

Little Hans
Feeling fine

Travelling the whole world
wide

Looking good
With stick of wood

Goes just where he could

That was pretty good.
Well done.

We've talked about it enough. I don't
want to be dependant on you.

- Are you dependant?
- Well, the child will soon be born...

...and you'll have lots of obligations.
- And that one dependency is too much?

Hello?

For you.

I still don't understand. It seems
as if you just make it up.

Yes?

Why? He's already asleep.

But we agreed that he would
sleep here tonight.

Yes, we did!

And even if not. He should be able to
sleep at least once at my place.

- No way. Out of question.
- The police? Are you crazy?

The child doesn't matter to you at all.
I can't just wake him up now.

Of course, you just don't
want to give in.

No, I won't bring him.

Listen to yourself. You've really
gone crazy.

Call the police, huh?

- Come on, I'll dress you.
- Don't give in. He has no right to it.

The police won't bother.

- He doesn't even have custody.
- Leave him. You know his condition.

If you give in now he'll have
won again.

And if not he'll come and smash
down the door.

Then let him come.

- He's always oppressing you.
- It's okay.

Relax, he won't hurt you.

You haven't changed a bit.

Sorry for the surprise visit.

It's very important for me. I've been
divorced for a while.

You can stay here. There's a room
upstairs, you'll be left in peace.

Helmut won't give me the child.

But the law says that if I can
prove

I was with someone else
at the time of conception

that he's not the father, I'll
automatically get custody.

I only need someone to confirm that I
slept with him at the time in question.

Someone with the right blood
type.

Weren't we together back then, in the
Autumn of '67 at Tegernsee?

You know your blood type?

I just need you to swear
on oath.

I haven't been to the city
for a long time.

It's about my child.

I'd like to see it. Is it
beautiful?

- Does it look like me?
- Nonsense, you aren't the father.

Just act as if you were.

You're my last chance.
Won't you help me?

That's why you drove out
here today?

Yes.

- I've the money, but not all of it.
- Doesn't matter, just transfer it.

That other issue you'd better forget.
They can test who's the actual father

and we don't even want to start
with something like that.

Your husband's attitude
is more important.

I can't talk to him. I start off
with the best intentions,

but he thinks he's always right.

Before I was the best of mothers, and
now I'm an unworthy whore...

- Did he use these expressions?
- Yes, frequently.

- Also in front of the child?
- Yes.

Can you prove it with witnesses?

- Yes, but they are our common friends.
- We can force them to give evidence.

- I don't like to involve them.
- And your mother?

Don't let sympathies rule you. You must
think according to the case.

I don't want that.

If you'd kept the child and asked
your mother for help...

I was worried he might
hurt himself.

We can't consider everyone.

You should have claimed a divorce
based on disputes from the start.

We would have certainly found
something to accuse him of.

I don't always want to think tactically.
Can't I combine my feelings and rights?

You're talking like a man.

Your outrage is just a flash in the pan.
If you really wanted to be independent,

you'd have started studying, made
the necessary sacrifices...

You should have thought
about that earlier.

No one forced you to marry
so early.

Two C. Del peccato.

Once more "a la voce".

Right. Breath now.

Very good. Your voice gets
better the more you sing.

You need to to intonate
the "l".

Ascolta Dolce Maria.

One more thing. This is
a church aria,

and any affectacious facial expression
is out of place here.

You understand? You shouldn't form
an O with Ascolta Dolce Maria.

Try to let your face remain
entirely...

...at the service of the
holy mass.

It's written for castrati
voices.

A church aria couldn't be
sung by women.

Why not?

Women in church, they had
to remain silent.

It would have been impossible for a woman
to sing in a Catholic church.

- It's meant for Maria...
- But women aren't allowed to sing, no.

You're interested in the topic of
"women's emancipation".

I'm telling you in advance it's a very
dangerous topic. No illusions!

In antiquity women were either
housewife or hetaera.

Christianity heightened woman.
It gave her absolution.

Here's a Masolino, a truly wonderful
late gothic masterpiece.

The Birth Giver. The mother of grace.
But it's not at all realistic.

Reality is the opposite.

A women is a nothing. She
belongs in the house.

She has to take care of kitchen,
cellar and so on.

That's it for this painting.

Let's go on to another typical picture.
Painted by Rogier van der Weyden...

...which shows the Angel
of Annunciation.

He comes and tells her what to do. She
should give birth to the child,

and then turn to a grieving mother
at Golgotha.

The destiny of women is
to listen and accept.

She's passivity in extension.

That's the real condition
of the woman.

I'd especially recommend
this one.

A new perspective on woman.

The woman exclusively as a house wife.
The man gazing out into the world.

With a falcon. He knows what he
wants. He's target-oriented.

The woman at his side.

His hand holding her, signalling
the alliance.

While the woman looks only at the boy.
The woman obeys the man's orders.

Explicit hierarchy of the family. Once
again, no signs of emancipation.

When the boy grows up he'll
become just like his father,

and so on into the next
generation.

That's a main theme in art history.
The man looks out into the world...

...while the woman looks
at the man.

In the paintings we come
to now,

the woman becomes object,
and not subject anymore.

Here the woman is an object
of desire.

You couldn't have depicted
her as a mistress like that,

that was impossible. So she's camouflaged
in an antique vesture.

Though you can't actually
call this a vesture.

- The tender veil is a cover-up?
- Right, it's a cover-up.

An ingenious cover-up.
But obviously...

...that antique myth is misused...

...in order to legalize an object
of sexual desire.

Emancipation means here
to turn her into a subject.

That's Ludwig XV's mistress. The beautiful
and infamous O'Murphy.

- She looks really stupid. - Well, she
doesn't look very intelligent,

but her bottom was famous. Louis XV
was envied for this bottom.

All of Paris admired it.

Thanks, a tea will be good after all
that standing and talking.

Now you've seen the paintings and
listened to a not so nice story.

The emancipation of women
is a very long-lasting issue.

In fact it's not just emancipation of
the woman but also of the man.

He's just as little emancipated
as the woman.

Men just think that because they own
power and authority. That's all.

He's kicking again.

- Can you feel the legs already?
- Sure.

Let me see.

- Indeed he's kicking.
- A he? - Yes.

- Only a boy can have such a temperament.
- Well...

...you still think patriarchally.

My efforts were to no avail.

- I also wanted to have a boy.
- You also wanted to have a boy.

See, we haven't got any
further.

What shall we do? There's
nothing one can do.

But take it easy now. You've
exhausted yourself.

- Thank you very much.
- Goodbye.

- I'll accompany you to the door.
- Very kind. Thanks.

- I'd have liked a father like you.
- A patriarch again. What a nice story.

Then we're back at the start again.
What can we do?

Thank you very much. I enjoyed it
a lot. Thanks. Goodbye.

Not so hard!

Look at those dirty ears.
Let's clean them.

That was one. And the other one.
Hold on. Done.

All clean again.

Did you dive? Don't do it. The foam'll get
in your eyes and hurt.

- Where's Daddy?
- Daddy will come soon.

He wants you to come now.

I don't have a heart of stone.

The child can live with you
to start with,

under the condition that you
fulfill the requirements.

The social worker checked the apartment
and said we should come to an agreement.

Especially for the child.

I'll have a look.

I want to save the child
any kind of conflict.

The motherly bonds are sacred
to me also.

I'd still be there for you if you'd
been more reasonable.

You were only there for yourself.
The child isn't important for you.

You were already bitter
when we met.

I hoped that you could
change that.

But the first man who came by
was good enough for you.

You know I didn't leave because of
Wolfgang. It didn't even work out.

Women never leave a man without
having another one.

I have nobody.

But there's no way back.

Any news about your dancing
and singing activities?

The teacher isn't so enthusiastic
anymore.

I lost my faith in it. It's too late.
Just a dilettante attempt.

So our greatest talents
remain in obscurity.

- How much is the the cheapest art
design? - One moment, please.

- 150 DM.
- Well, thanks. Goodbye.

Bye.

- Has my wife called?
- No. - Thanks.

- Did you find the letter from the Hamburg
art museum? - No, sorry.

That's a catastrophe.

The hair dryer and lunch. Do we
have Alka-Seltzer?

- I don't think so. - Please buy some.
Some Alka-Seltzer would be heaven.

- And the letter from the art club?
- They'll have to be patient.

But not me. Please buy some.

Yes, but when?
When?

One moment, a moment, please.

Hello? Galleria Schmollinger.

Yes.

They ask if you would come
to Milan next week.

Can't we postpone it?

Is it possible to... to...

to do it a bit later?

Ah, right.

It's not possible, the exhibition
will end Saturday.

Well, Friday then.

Friday, alright?

Yes, thanks. Best wishes to
Signora Schmollinger.

You'll naturally accompany me.

Call Mr. Cook...

and book two sleepers
on the night train.

Anyone who ever loved, wasn't
it love at first sight.

One more, please.

It's a pleasure to watch you
eating.

At Servini I'll order a vitello
tonnato for you.

Then you'll understand why Catholics
still pray to God, it's such a pleasure.

Under the condition...
do you mind?

That one still enjoys one's
virility.

By the way,

did your husband betray you
or the other way round?

- I was simply tired of being married.
- Naturally.

Biologically a man and woman being
together all the time is a monstrosity.

How long does a sexual relationship
last? Probably two years at most.

According to Reich it never
does.

We need new ways of living. We got
stuck in the Stone Age.

My wife, for example,

she's so jealous, you can't
imagine.

She's a raging Othello.

And me as Desdemona.
Can you imagine that?

To your health.

A woman's destiny
is to be perfect,

clean, being the illusion of the man.
No more, no less.

It's not the right to become a doctor
or the right to vote,

but the magical capability
of illusion.

You know what Ortega y Gasset
said?

The value of a man is what he does.
The value of a woman is what she is.

And I say he's right. Aren't I right?
- Yes. - There you see.

The waiters want to go to sleep.
They're throwing us out.

Should we also go to bed?

- Okay. - You want to eat that?
- No.

Perfectly happy?
Well, let's go.

- Have a nice evening.
- It's along there.

We want to get drunk. We want
to swap our wives.

There's no more yours and mine.
Wasn't that the song?

25. That's you, right? Thank you
for a nice evening.

No, no. I'll accompany
you to your cabin.

Well then. Good night.
Thanks again.

No problem. My pleasure.

- I don't want that.
- Why not? Even in the smallest cabin.

What a temper.

I love it.

Stop it or I'll call the conductor!
What's got into you?

Spontaneous love. You must
surrender.

No way!

Wilhelm Reich taught that
forty years ago.

Nobody wanted to listen to him.

The time wasn't ready yet.

He masturbated himself
to death.

Out of desperation.

I'm so disappointed in you.

Shit.

Watch in the sink. Money's gone.
Dirt of snatch under the nails.

Headline: The gentleman
wakes up.

Welcome, Sir. Room No 17.

That's for the taxi.

- Could I please make a call to Germany?
- Yes. - To Frankfurt.

Please write down the number
here.

- You can go to the cabin. We'll
connect you. - Thank you.

- All the luggage to your room, Sir?
- No, no.

Please give her a single room.

The number of the hotel, please?

- 897-065
- Thank you.

Tell me when you arrive so that
I can get you? I'm happy. Bye.

- The restaurant is over there.
- Oh, yes. It's beautiful.

- It's further up there.
- What?

- It's very high up.
- This is your room, Miss.

- No bathroom? No shower?
- In this room there isn't.

Magical illusion of the man.

Be patient. It's not my fault. So here's
the room. Have a nice day.

Wait a moment. Savini's over there.
Where was it now?

That was painted by a young
American.

He arrived in Italy with a very small
suitcase that was very heavy.

Schiels was a young American artist
who came to Italy...

...with a small but heavy
suitcase.

This one belongs to the museum
of Whitney.

This one belongs to the museum
of Whitney.

It's owned by an industrial leader
who was the son of a cowboy.

Owned by the Washington Museum.

What does it cost?

It's three million Lire.

- In dollars?
- 5,000 to 6,000 dollars.

16,000 to 18,000 DM.
That one is interesting.

Thank you.

Here he has used human
beings as objects.

This one is an important piece
of work.

Well, it's a little older.

In Germany you'll certainly find
enthusiasts for that.

I know what you mean, but...

Shall we pick him up?
- No, not today.

- Super, please.
- Thanks, Madam.

- Italy is beautiful. - Thanks, Madam.
- Yes, very much.

I'll order vitello tonnato. What
Schmollinger promised me in Milano.

- Two vitelli tonatti. And one mixed
salad. - Thank you, Mrs.

- My Mrs.
- My Mr.

Do we have to get up yet?

- I'd like to never go back.
- We can just stay together for ever.

No real sexual relation can last longer
than four years, according to Reich.

Says Schmollinger.

I'll still love you when I'm as old
as yesterday's farmer.

And as rattly as his bicycle.

When I'm forty you'll
find a younger one.

If I only hadn't got this wrinkle.

I'll sleep a little longer.

- What a beautiful dress.
- From Milan.

The Italians have a very different
attitude to their appearance.

Yes, well...

Unfortunately your husband has misused
your absence to your disadvantage.

He sent a letter to the custody court.
You can clearly read the failed writer.

He calls the change of your working
place an unsteadiness.

Your new job in the art gallery is
inconsistent with motherly duties.

Because of frequent travelling
to foreign countries.

Sharing a flat with a pregnant unmarried
friend he calls a dubious commune.

I fear his arguments may at
least partly succeed

with the Youth Welfare
Department.

And there's a danger that he'll
indeed get custody of the child.

Eventually he provided a surprise
effect and wrote the following:

To Child Welfare.

My situation has changed since
I'm soon going to marry again.

My bride works at a kindergarten and
gets along perfectly with my son.

We live in a big house where Nikolas
has a big room and also a garden.

Very near to the kindergarten
that can be reached on foot.

Your melodramatic show only proves
you're unable be reasonable.

We agreed that Niki lives
with me.

Not if you hang out abroad
with some strange guys.

I've already left the job
at the gallery.

That wasn't necessary. You won't make up
for what you've done to Niki.

I'll give him again an authentic
family life.

You talked me into that office job just
to make sure I wouldn't get Niki.

Nobody forced you into it.
I've got to work now.

You know very well I didn't take Niki
because I feared you'd hurt yourself.

- Now you're using that against me.
- Come on, stop fooling yourself!

He'd have only upset your
emancipation attempts.

You make it seem as if the court
has already decided for you.

It's a shame that we let these
bureaucrats decide on our child.

It wasn't me who destroyed our family!
Don't ever forget that!

I made it especially for you:
All power to the Nanas.

- So you'll have a good memory of me.
- Thank you.

This is not just strange.

I regard it as a parody of
female emancipation.

It shows a woman without a brain,
with fat legs and a shopping bag.

"Nana pouvoir" means "little woman".

According to her form, right?

It suggests the necessary renovation
of patriarchal order.

If the patriarchy is ever revived, which
I don't think will ever happen.

The patriarchy will slowly die, matriarchy
maybe won't replace it, but both will

coexist and balance each other as
historical and social status quos.

It's nice to hear a colloquium about
patriarchy from a competent mouth.

- You're leaving already?
- I have to.

Excuse the long discussion. All the best,
and much patience.

A famous quote by Lenin says: Patience
is a revolutionary's primary quality.

Don't forget that.

Emancipation is a very long process
through many generations.

- But what shall I do now?
- We always want it right now.

But it's not possible. You have
to accept it.

It's like this: You've to think in terms
of generations, not in individuals.

It's difficult. I've tried to be patient
myself now for fifty years.

Don't you still owe me money?

- Well, take the "Nana" and we're even.
- But I only got paid for one week.

You're served very well
with that.

Just visit me, my library is
always open for you.

I have many books on
the subject.

Don't give up.

Educate yourself. Be active.
And maintain your beauty.

That is a very important part.

What do you think? Doesn't she
look exactly like the "Nana"?

- I'm Niki's mother.
- Beate Fink. Please come in.

Your mother's in town.
So I stayed with Niki.

Do you have a present?

- Can I offer you a drink?
- No, thanks.

Well, but you get an apple juice.

What's that?

- Remember "Little Hans"?
- Yes. - It starts there.

Great.

My husband writes better than
me because of his work.

That has nothing to do
with the child. Please.

Please let me explain. You can't just
decide without asking both parents.

Send Oscar, he doesn't
give up so easily.

Please, can I have an appointment.

I'll try again tomorrow.

Shall I rub your back?

Yes.

Darling, what's wrong?
Calm down.

It's just the stress. The constant
insecurity.

Let's get married. Then everything
will be easier.

Maybe you'll even get Niki back.
He's got married first.

Then you'd have a whole
new situation.

You could take your singing
lessons.

Everything's still possible. There's
no need to get desperate.

When I was

Still a child

They told me: Only wait

Then when you're grown up

You can do what you want

Be patient
Organise yourself

Because you're still
Much too small

So now I'm grown

Soon I'll be old

They say to me:
"No violence"

You are a woman

And as a woman you're weak

Be patient
Organise yourself

You sure won't make it
Not alone

Thus I've been
So well behaved

As they told me
I'm well read

I've avoided violence

I've got nowhere

And I am old