Original subtitles

It's a great honour for me to accept this prize on behalf of our school.

It acknowledges our 100-year commitment

to the best possible education,

in which the children's welfare

is paramount.

Our founder was the great

educational reformist Paul Geheeb.

His philosophy still influences our school to this day.

As Geheeb said,

"Our boarding school is a safe haven

where children can fulfill

their true potential as human beings,

untouched by the destructive influences

of urban culture."

Our children are...

...genuinely organic, unified community.

Indeed, for this reason we're so proud

of the heritage and... - This award is a lie!.

My name is Frank Hoffmann,

and I was a pupil here at the end of the 70s.

Terrible crimes were committed here.

Teachers sexually abused pupils.

Everyone knew what went on, and they still know.

Our school friend committed suicide. This school must own up to its past!

We want a formal hearing!

Anyone who stays silent is guilty!

The Chosen Ones

Exactly what the customer wants.

Ms. Grust?. - Please arrange a meeting

with Mr. Schilling.

Right, let's have a look. - Petra?.

It's me, Frank.

Frank Hoffmann?.

Er... come with me.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Can we come in for a moment?. Thanks.

Unfortunately I don't have much time.

I need your help, Petra.

We forced the school to give us a public hearing.

They're listening to us!

Frank, l...

You must tell them what you saw. - It was so long ago, l...

You were the only teacher who believed us.

Yes, and I failed to achieve anything.

Do you remember Volker?.

He's dead.

He drove his motorbike into a tree. It was a straight road.

His mother believes it was an accident.

She's ashamed.

She won't admit that he killed himself.

I'm so sorry. - Petra, you must speak out!

Excuse me. Petra, are you ready?.

Yes.

I can't do it.

I'm counting on you.

Hey Frank, come here!

Frank, you arsehole, come here!

Hey Simon, any chance of trying your cognac?.

You can all come and cook in half an hour.

Hey, guys, wait for me!

Ah! Petra Grust I presume!

Mr. Pistorius?.

Glad we met here, not in the office.

Come in. I'll quickly get dressed.

Is it okay if we use first names?. That's what we do here. - Yes, sure.

I'm just not so used to it, that's all.

Take a seat.

A tea?. - Oh, thank you.

A drop of cognac?.

No.

Or would you prefer a joint?.

Oh! You heard about that?.

Yes, I wanted to meet the dope-smoking daughter of our local councilor.

That was a big mistake. Smoking a joint with pupils on a class trip!

But it was decent of you to leave before it became a scandal.

Your father was no doubt relieved. - Yes.

Your father told me he still believes you're a talented teacher.

We're not looking for ordinary teachers. We want personalities,

who can meet the needs of the whole child.

And, well... who cares about a joint?.

I think you'd fit right in here.

And our biology department has a vacancy.

Does that mean I can start in the next school year?.

No, the job won't be available then.

If you want the job, you'll have to start immediately.

And I already know the perfect place for you to live.

Come on, I'll show you my apartment.

Could you help us carry this?. - Yes, sure. - Why not?. - Carry on.

Can we help too?. - Yes, it's all going upstairs.

Come on!

Thanks.

Isn't it great?.

Yeah, it's... nice.

And where's the bathroom?.

The showers are downstairs.

Hey, it's rent-free.

How about christening the place?. - Michael...

Can we watch?.

Hey...

What's wrong with you?. - Fascist!

Michael!

It's terrible, what they're doing.

Why don't you tell them off?. - Just leave them. What's wrong with you?.

Will we see each other this weekend?. - I'll call you.

Thanks again!

Bio, bio...

Morning. - Can I copy from you?. - Yeah, if you want to fail.

Roland, the shampoo! - Here.

I'm finished.

Don't be shy. We won't do anything to you.

Hey, coming to the party tonight?.

Got a fag for me?.

Petra!

Hello,

Hello, I'm Ulrike.

Thanks.

Yesterday's gone,

tomorrow's not here yet, so let's live today.

I'd like to introduce a new colleague, Petra Grust.

Biology.

When we first met I was wearing a dressing gown.

So she's perfect for this subject.

God, I love him so, he's so sweet.

Sabine has a heavy cold. She's in bed. You want tea?. - Yes please.

Felix is celebrating his birthday at home. He'll miss the rest of the week.

Can I take the rest of the week off too?.

Any other business?.

Yes, we have to talk about Roland.

I caught him with drugs again.

Hashish?. So what?.

He also beats up the young kids, including a boy in my school family.

You mean I don't have my family under control?.

I didn't say that. But if that's how you want to see it...

Thomas, what will you do?. - I teach here,

because a teacher beat me so badly... - God, every week

it's the same old story. - Alright, Manni.

I know the streets. I know what violence is.

That's why I stand by my boys. - I think that's important.

There's a reason why he's angry, right?.

Vera, do you have anything to add?.

We know about the conflicts with his parents.

I think we should give him another chance.

Katja, you're the pupil representative. How do you see it?.

I think Vera's right. Roland is usually okay.

There you are! You heard it. Anything else?.

Have a good day. Have fun in class.

Teach our kids something relevant. Who dares wins!

Simon?.

Hello. I'm Vera. - Hello.

If you need anything, just come to me, okay?.

Thanks. - It's great how you address the needs of every child.

It's hard work but we're getting there. - Petra's one of us, right?.

Come to me if you need any help, okay?. - Or to me.

Thank you. See you later. - Yes, see you later. Bye.

Is that your dog?.

Do you all smoke here?.

You're in Pistorius' family, aren't you?.

Lucky you!

OK, see you later. Bye.

Quiet! She's coming!

What?. - Quiet please!

Heike and Thilo!

I'm Petra Grust,

Not another one! - Where are you in the curriculum?. - The what?.

Then just tell me what interests you about biology.

Reproduction!

The birds and the bees, right?.

Ah! A spider!

Hey! Stop!

Stop. That's not how you treat living things.

Tegenaria domestica, a house spider.

She's useful. She catches insects like wasps or flies. And she's really clever.

She spins little tripwires by her web to catch her prey.

Does anyone want to hold her?.

No.

Hello, Thomas?.

Hey, Petra!

What's up?. - Sorry to disturb you. Do you have anything for a headache?.

Katja!

What?. - Get Petra something for her headache. In the bathroom.

Thomas, that's a pupil. - So?.

I...

Hey, relax, will you?. - Where are they?. - Just keep looking.

And you keep to the rules, okay?. Don't just waltz into other teachers' apartments.

Sorry.

About what?. - Ah, never mind.

Thanks.

Thomas! Are you coming?.

Frank, we started 20 minutes ago.

So?.

Aha.

Then tell me what's missing to make the photosynthesis equation work.

Frank, say something. - Tell us the equation. - Come on.

This is from last year. That's a fail.

A fail?. That grade doesn't exist here.

Grading is oppression. And we've never been taught equations either.

Exactly. That's true. - She's right.

What have you been doing then?. - The teacher gave us group exercises.

On bits of paper.

And then we would discuss it.

And your grades?. - To hell with grades.

And your stupid photosynthesis stuff.

What use is it if the forests are dying of acid rain anyway?.

Oh, so you have understood something after all.

Okay then.

Let's discuss it.

Where does acid rain come from?. - From the greed of

multinationals, and the new

What are the causes?.

Any ideas?. Frank?.

Echo!

Piss off, Pistorius!

Frank, move your arse. My favourite song.

Let's get out of here, Frank.

Where to?. - To London.

That's where they all are. Paul,

Johnny and Sid.

What kind of a motor is that?.

That's my father's car. What's he doing here?.

I told my mother about it.

Go over there!. Come on, throw!.

Here!. Catch, Heinrich! - Go for it!

Hello, Mr. Hoffmann.

Your visit comes as a surprise, Mr. Hoffmann. - Yes.

Please. Take a seat. - Thanks.

I must talk to you about something rather awkward.

Yes, go on.

Go ahead.

I received a letter from Eric's mother.

Eric told her of boundaries being overstepped, about being harassed.

Ah, really?.

What do you mean exactly?.

Well, it's...

apparently it's...

er... of a sexual nature.

She didn't go into details.

So, why don't you then?.

Well, as far as I understood her...

it's something to do with some kind of wake-up ritual.

What?.

I'm being accused of... behaving inappropriately with the children?.

Oh God. No!

Well what then?.

But that's what I wanted

to discuss with... - Yes?.

As chair of the governing body,

it was my duty to mention it.

Do you think I'd really do that?.

Mr. Hoffmann,

you know I do everything for this school.

And I also do a lot for Eric.

But the nature of the education we provide

necessitates close relationships with the children.

Does that mean that...

No!

Of course not.

You know, Eric's parents have no idea how needy Eric is.

The fact he's made such progress is down to us.

But even so, he still tells lies.

Can we forget about it?.

Yes, of course.

So, Mr. Hoffmann, thanks for coming. - Eric's parents

are good clients of mine, who donate generously

towards school scholarships. - Ah, tiresome finances!

I could take in more kids from social services. They pay

almost double. - Wouldn't that change the concept of the school too much?.

Not at all. I'd personally select the children. Your son Frank also benefits

from mixing with other social strata. - Mr. Hoffmann?.

Yes.

I'm the new biology teacher. - Ah, Miss Grust!

Your father said you work here.

I teach your son. - You must be why he gets such good grades!

Good grades?. - Petra's already helped him so much, right Petra?.

And there he is. Happy to see his father. - Frank, my boy,

I'm sorry. I have to shoot off again.

I've so little time. One meeting after another...

At this school it's the family head who talks to parents. Is that clear?.

Hey, Frank! Your father didn't stay long.

I've built some new speakers.

I soldered the diplexer myself.

Do you want to come and listen?.

Great, aren't they?.

Choose something else if you like.

Strauss.

The greatest, purest music ever written, Frank.

Do you also want to get undressed?.

That's what you do with Simon as well, isn't it?.

Although with me it's nicer.

Leave me alone!

Frank, wait!

Shit!

You there!

You come and have an afternoon nap with me.

Come on. Hurry up!

Sorry, I had to prepare a lesson.

How conscientious! Madame Bourgeois seeks to shame us.

Is being conscientious so bad?. - It's certainly worth questioning.

Hard work isn't an end in itself here. - Concentration camps were run diligently!

And when is hard work a good thing?. - Look at us!

As teachers and surrogate parents we're on duty round the clock.

And what criteria do you use?.

The teacher's conference. That's where teachers and pupils say what they think.

Then at the end Simon decides who's right.

Thomas, you're so cynical. Name one teacher who's better than him!

Oh come on, Vera, it pisses everyone off. Simon pretends to be democratic

but ultimately he's an autocrat. - What?.

How can you say that?. Simon does everything for the children.

You're just jealous.

Oh rubbish! It was different here before he arrived. - How would you know?.

You were still driving a taxi then!

A moment ago you wanted to question everything.

Hello, Frank.

Can I have one too?.

Were you at the demonstration?.

Not really my thing. What about you?.

Oh yes. I was politically active in Frankfurt.

With your journalist friend who helped you move in?.

Your boyfriend?.

Well...

not really anymore.

Are you going home at the weekend?. - Why?.

Your father comes,

I thought you'd be seeing each other soon.

And what about your mother?.

She died ages ago.

Tired?.

I can't sleep.

Wait here.

I'll be back in a second.

This is a dream catcher. Hang it over your bed.

It will catch the bad dreams and only let the good ones in.

You're not a pupil here!

What are you doing here?.

Get out. Right now!

I said get out! I'll get the headmaster!

Don't you dare come back!

That's a good way to make yourself popular.

Have fun, guys.

Stop. Give me the drugs. - They're mine. - If you're caught, you'll be expelled.

No one cares about that here. Hey, that's mine. I paid for that!

Give it back! What are you doing?.

Really?. - Yes. - Really?. Oh thanks.

A new week, a new beginning!

Has everyone had a good break?. What about our children?.

Any absentees?. Any sickness?.

Frank wasn't in my lesson.

Yes, unfortunately Frank often has headaches. Thank you.

Agnes, you...

Ah, the marihuana.

Word got round. I'll deal with it.

Yes?.

Erm... I... - Anything else, Petra?.

Good.

Actually...

I'm worried about Frank.

He often misses class. - That's from the problems with his father.

But l... - Nice, your dream catcher. I saw it.

But I'll take care of him. OK?.

Oh yes, Petra.

Your lessons. I hear good things. Keep up the good work!

What are you taking photos of?.

An orchid.

They're really interesting plants.

They grow all over the world.

In mountains, deserts, swamps. They're true masters of survival.

Like you. With your school results. How do you manage it?.

Hypnosis?. - Well...

Simon wants me to get good results. So I get them.

Are you his favourite?.

Out in the real world you need to be good at something, Frank.

I can give you extra lessons. I know it's looked down upon here,

but it'll help you in the long run.

You'd really do that for me?.

That's what I'm here for.

It's good that you wrote it out.

About the social consequences and things.

Systems in factories.

Anyone got an idea?.

Hello, Frank!

Why did you do that?. - What?.

You snitched on him! - What?. Who?. Just hang on a minute!

Eric has been expelled!

Because of you.

The bastards are throwing him out.

I'm so upset I don't know what to say. - Yes, it is sad. - I heard

you want to expel Eric?.

The decision has been made. We've just voted on the matter. Eric was dealing.

Eric wasn't dealing. That was someone else, Simon.

That much isn't for personal use. - Kids, I must go.

Vera, if Eric's expelled, he can't graduate. Is that what you want?.

He doesn't fit the concept of the school. He just can't handle so much freedom.

Thomas, it's so arbitrary! Eric's out but Roland stays for the same thing!

Eric belongs to Simon's family. - Thomas, we must go.

Petra, just drop it.

My son a liar! How can you embarrass me like this?.

And accuse such a good person as Mr. Pistorius?.

You're a disgrace!

Mrs. Blank is here.

Not now. OK?.

And... where's his father?. - We're on our own.

His father takes no interest. And he has problems at school.

Volker, please, put that down. - No, no. Leave him. Do they tease you?.

He doesn't want to go anymore. - It's normal for children to fight.

It's how they find their place in society.

But we deal with it in a positive way. Everyone finds a friend here.

Social services haven't confirmed if they'll pay the school fees yet.

Hey Volker, come here. Come here.

Go! - Come on. - Go on then!

Come on. Tell me. Are you good at sports?.

Neither am l. In fact I hate sport! Football's the worst. Brrr... terrible!

Here you won't be forced to do anything. Not in sport

or in anything else.

So,

I'll talk to social services. Do you have the application with you?. - Really?.

Yes, of course. Give it to me.

Here.

There you are.

Welcome to the Odenwald School. - I don't know how I can thank you.

Look, this is Petra,

Hello. I'm Volker.

Hello, Volker.

I'm Edith Blank. Nice to meet you.

Hello. - You know what?. You're coming into my family.

Yes?.

Come on.

Bye.

Bye.

There you are. This is your bed.

You're going to be very happy here.

Your room-mate will help you move in.

Frank's very nice. You can ask him for anything.

And if there's a problem then you can come to me. OK?.

Good.

Someone's there.

Hey, here's another. - No, stop! - The shortest Odenwald School joke.

A pupil from Odenwald School goes to the library.

None of them can read!

You don't take the children seriously when you say that!

What's the matter?.

I saw something in the woods,

I was taking photos.

Manni's van was there.

He was with a pupil.

They were both naked.

Petra, we don't automatically associate nakedness with sexuality here.

Are you accusing Manni just because he's gay?.

Like Simon too,

That's not what this is about.

The boy in the van was...

young.

Stop it. You're badmouthing a colleague!

If the pupil had a problem, he'd have said something, right?.

Maybe he doesn't dare to?.

No one's afraid of speaking their mind here!

Manni, we've not always seen eye to eye. But I had to tell you!

It's important to stick together. Right?.

I appreciate it.

Bye.

Close the door! I'm developing.

Oh, it's you.

What's this?.

I was in the woods taking photos.

I saw Manni's van.

Manni Wolf,

and... - Yes?.

They were naked. Manni and the pupil in the van.

So?.

I had the impression that something was going on.

Aha. And so you decided to take a photo of them?. - Yes.

Well l...

I can't make anything out.

For me it was clear. - But...

you don't seem very certain.

Which pupil was it?.

How old was he?. Roughly.

I don't know. Maybe 12

or 13.

You need to put this photo in the fixer now, right?.

You think the pupil didn't want to?. - I had a strange feeling about it.

A strange feeling?.

Yes.

Even our founder, Paul Geheeb,

organised a great air bath in a meadow in the woods

to celebrate the beauty of the body.

Hence the meaning of "Pedagogical Eros".

A close personal relationship between adult and child.

Manni is a respected colleague.

So...

Good. Though I think you're exaggerating.

I'll talk to him. OK?.

What about your extra lessons?.

Frank, take this up please.

I've spoken to Manni.

They were trying a water wheel in the stream. They got wet

and had to get changed.

This school is like a family, Petra. Think carefully about what you say.

Yes?.

Cheers!

And another!

What's going on here?. Off, get off the bed! Come on!

Hup, hup, hup.

Come on. Off now!

Here.

This is for your good grades. And for looking after the new boy.

I don't want your horrible presents.

You little shit.

Just be careful. Or I'll tell everyone what you do to me.

So, gay boy. How's Headmaster's Pet?. Shame about the shoes.

Scared?.

I wonder if he'd like you without your hair?.

Maybe I should cut it off?.

I'm not gay. - Hey, what are you doing?.

I am... not... gay!

Hey Frank, stop it!

I am not gay! - Stop it. We were just playing around!

I am not gay!

Hey, stop it. - I am not gay!

Ladies and gentlemen, students, parents,

dear Councilor Grust.

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you

to our school. Ours is a very special school,

so different from most,

The child is at the centre of our philosophy, whoever the child is.

We aim to instill confidence in each child,

in a school community that excludes no one and values all.

We seek to develop the whole child.

Body and mind in union, just like life and work.

We live in a healthy environment and we're here for one another.

Every child is given our undivided attention.

Learning at school is often learning by rote.

But children are no vessels that you fill with knowledge.

We start with each child and place trust

in their nature and individuality.

"Discover thy true self." That is our motto.

A run before breakfast, then a

That's the way each school day starts.

We nurture every talent, and no child is forced to do things against their will.

Councilor Grust,

we're honoured by the trust you show.

You even send us your daughter to teach here. And just like you,

our parents are similarly supportive of our school.

For there is no better school than ours and our lessons are simply the best.

Can I offer you anything, Dad?.

No thanks, maybe another time. I have meetings.

Tell me, couldn't Pistorius

Well, as long as you're happy.

Being a teacher is all I ever wanted! - I know.

It's always been your dream.

But I just don't like Pistorius.

But you just donated a new library to the school.

Politics, Petra. High-level politics.

The papers love him for his progressive educational ideas.

I thought the ministry was impressed with the school.

What concerns me is that Pistorius respects your work. It seems he does,

and that's important to me. You wait, he has plans for you.

You can have a career here.

Dad...

Yes, really?. - Yes!

But you mustn't mess it up again. That wouldn't be good

for either of us.

Where's that boy gone again?. Frank?.

There you are, my boy.

I looked for you everywhere! We have to talk about the holidays.

Yes, I know I promised we'd go to Sylt. But I can't make it.

I have to go to London. There's a very complicated merger.

But Simon has offered to take you

to Greece with him. Sailing!

One or two other boys are also going. And Hasso von Grafenburg.

I don't want to go.

Frank, that's enough. I pay a lot for this great and, incidentally,

expensive school, and all you can do is moan!

Please...

Oh, come on.

You'll have a wonderful time.

A real man's holiday!

Wow!

Well, I've got to go.

Chin up, son!

All the best, Mr. Grust.

Lovely seeing you Mr. Hoffmann.

See you again soon! Bye!

How great that they could come.

You are a genius,

a real fisher of men. - A poor beggar needs to sing for his supper.

I know it's not appropriate to admit it, but... I envy you.

Everyone at this school idolizes you.

But I'm also worried, Simon.

There are rumours... - Ah! - No, really.

You must be more careful. All these young boys. You're too close to them.

You also benefit from them, Hasso.

It's always the really young ones! Get a grip on yourself!

Please!

Look, Simon. You've been here

would be good for you. - I'm also doing this for us.

I'd have wasted away in your academic world.

You have Hamburg. I've found what I need here.

But if your inclinations get you

into difficulties here,

Alright.

I must go.

My train leaves in an hour.

Will you drive me?. - Of course.

No! - Hold him! - I've got him. - Let go of me!

Leave me alone! - Hold him. - Leave me alone!

Thank you, Roland.

Try to get some sleep, OK?.

Thank you.

Frank! My God, Frank!

What the hell are you up to?.

My old friend.

What is it?. What's the matter with you?.

I want to help you. But I can't unless you tell me what's wrong.

You won't believe me anyway.

What's going on between you and Simon?. Something's up.

Tell me!

What's he doing to you?.

He...

He...

Where is he?.

Thank you, Petra.

Why do you do such silly things?. Frank!

You poor thing with your funny hair!

It's all going to be OK. The sun will still shine for you.

Come on.

It always keeps on shining. Come on.

Frank wants to stay here.

I'll take care of him.

No!

Leave me alone!

Leave me!

Leave me alone!

Miss Grust. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Mr. Hoffmann. - I think I already know why you're here, but...

I know Frank got drunk yesterday. Unfortunately, I only have 10 minutes.

Your son drank himself into a stupor, Mr. Hoffmann.

Yes, Pistorius called it a typical case of youthful overindulgence.

He called me.

He attempted suicide.

Now let's not exaggerate!

Such things don't happen at that school.

Frank is completely distraught.

He doesn't want to go to Greece with Pistorius.

I don't think Frank's mature enough to appreciate what a great privilege it is.

Why don't you listen to him?.

Excuse me?.

It's about his needs.

He's... still only a child. - Precisely!

With significant academic and personal problems!

Miss Grust, let me tell you a story.

Frank ran away from home once. I was very worried and called the police.

They found him in the cemetery at his mother's grave.

He told the police she was killed in a car crash and that l

had been at the wheel.

Miss Grust...

there was no crash.

My wife, my ex-wife, lives in South America and is in rude health.

And now I'll tell you something else.

I am overjoyed

that someone like Simon Pistorius has taken Frank under his wing.

Mr. Hoffmann, I saw it with my own eyes.

Mr. Pistorius and Frank were in the shower together.

Right, Miss Grust, I have another meeting.

Give my regards to your father and...

allow me, as a lawyer, to give you some advice.

Defamation is an offense.

Hello, Petra.

Thanks for coming.

You look tired.

This Simon Pistorius is a fascinating character.

The country's model educationalist.

He held a speech at the World Peace prize-giving ceremony.

But he's not what he seems.

The story about the shower... Petra, no one will believe us!

What did you see with your own eyes?.

Well, I didn't go in. But Frank attempted suicide because of it.

A boy in Pistorius' school family was expelled.

Officially for drugs. But Frank says he told his mother everything.

She believed Pistorius. He manipulates them all!

He always picks pretty, needy boys who want the recognition

of a father figure. - Like someone else I know.

No, Michael.

My father mustn't hear about this!

OK, Petra.

But I have to cover my back too.

Are there any other teachers who can confirm the abuse?.

I mentioned it once. Everyone went quiet, as if they all knew,

but wouldn't say anything. It was in the air.

There's one teacher, Thomas.

Maybe he'll say something. He's critical of Pistorius.

And what about the boys?. Will they talk?. At least this boy Frank?.

My newspaper publisher is influential. I'll try and get to see her.

Hey, can someone explain this to me?.

Don't you want to sort that out?.

I'm pretty good with a pair of scissors.

Your mother's been reconnected. You should call her.

Come on then!

Go on!

I look like an idiot! - Stop, otherwise I'll cut you.

Trust me.

Is that OK for you?.

Hello, Mum.

Yes.

Great.

It's really good here. I'm fine.

I got a good grade in German.

Yes. Great.

Are you coming to visit me?.

See you then. Bye.

Homesick?.

You have such a great mother.

I had a long conversation with her.

She wants you to be really happy.

Ever thought of changing families?. - Me?.

No one would take me. - Why not?.

Because Simon thinks it's bad for me.

And my father thinks I wouldn't graduate.

And if you ask your father directly, saying you'd prefer a family mother?.

The women teachers wouldn't do anything Simon doesn't want.

They're all in love with him.

I think your father would support you in your choice.

Listen Frank, the other night you were about to tell me something.

About Simon. What he does to you.

Can you tell me?.

It happens in the shower, doesn't it?.

And other places.

And...

he hurts me every time.

Do you want to talk about it?.

After the summer holidays I'll get my own family.

I'm going to ask your father.

Frank's on his way. Please sit down, Mr. Hoffmann. - Thanks.

Frank is working hard.

He wants a good grade in his exams. We get on well together.

He even asked if he can be in my family

next year. Frank thinks a change would do him good.

Sit down, Frank.

So Frank. You live in the much-admired Simon Pistorius' family.

Why move?.

Frank, if anything has happened, I want you to tell me now.

Or are you lying again?.

Like then, with your mother's "crash".

Frank, look at me!

Tell your father what Pistorius does to you in the showers.

So what's the matter?. Why aren't you saying anything?.

Say it!

Tell us!

Listen to me! Say it!

Ah, Mr. Hoffmann.

that you're here. Now we can clear everything up.

I'd have come sooner,

has informed me that Frank's grades

have deteriorated in nearly all subjects since you started teaching him. - What?.

That's not... - Miss Grust!

Leave my son alone!

You're the one who's a bad influence on him.

Mr. Pistorius, my sincere apologies. - No, no. I'm the one who's sorry.

Hey, man!

I saw Volker's new sports shoes.

When I saw yours, I immediately knew what's going on.

Eric wasn't expelled because of drugs, right?.

He said something and his mother didn't believe him.

Just like my father.

Simon, the bastard,

He deserves to be taught a lesson.

Let go!

I know it's you, Frank.

And?. Come on, tell!

There won't be an article, Petra.

What?. - Eric's mother hung up on me.

Hoffmann threatened legal action, and that teacher's screwing a schoolgirl.

He doesn't want any trouble. - I know all that. So?.

If only the boys had talked!

My editor reprimanded me in front of the whole company,

about slandering her friend Pistorius without any proof.

Michael, your article is our last chance.

I can't risk my job.

My God, you haven't understood anything.

Why don't you talk to your father?.

Until now, I've regarded these accusations as exaggerations.

Yesterday Frank deliberately injured himself.

And you say nothing!

What's the matter, Pistorius?.

What have you done to my son?.

I'm not the monster that I'm made out to be.

So why this intimacy?. Particularly to boys?.

I help them find their sexuality. They've the same right as adults.

Children's sexuality has nothing to do with that of adults!

You have no idea what children want!

This love is an incredibly beautiful thing.

You call that love?.

That's sick.

It's the only true and pure form of love there is.

Frank is... completely distraught.

Because you oppress him with your prudish morals.

I don't oppress children, Mr. Hoffmann, I nurture them.

If you had truly accepted Frank,

then you'd be able to see the beauty of it. But...

then you'd have to admit it's the very love you yearn for.

How dare you!

I'm going to talk to the Board of Governors tomorrow.

These accusations are so serious

that there's no way I can keep you on. - Be my guest. I can leave straight away.

Although you should consider the media's response.

Are you blackmailing me?. - Perish the thought.

Make me an offer.

Here you are! I looked for you everywhere.

I have good news. We've made it!

Pistorius is going. He'll never work with children again.

Traitor

Dear colleagues, today I notified

the Board of Governors that I am to leave the Odenwald School.

I've been here for 14 years. It's been an honour.

I'm proud to live and to work here. - That's your fault.

It's Petra's fault. - That's right.

Please, please.

I am telling you this to make it clear

that my decision to leave has nothing to do with rancour or bitterness.

On the contrary. I'll work with my successor till he's settled in.

The transition will take two years, starting

from the end of the next school year. - What?. Two years?.

But how can that be?. - Be quiet! - I'm so angry I could scream.

She brought a journalist here! - That's right.

That's because the children came to me.

They're just lying. - I don't know anyone as good with children as Simon.

Exactly!

She also falsely accused Manni. - That's right.

I was with a pupil, but just playing. - Frank's only a child

and Simon takes him into the showers and forces him to perform sexual acts.

Liar!

Don't you care what's being done to the children?.

Lies! It's all lies!

I propose a motion,

that Petra Grust be dismissed from the school. - Good idea. - Bravo!

Judas!

"lf someone climbs laboriously into the branches of a tree

and thinks himself a bird to be:. wrong is he."

Are you alright, Petra?. - Yes.

I need an address. Edith Blank.

Mrs. Blank?.

I'm Petra Grust. I was a teacher at the Odenwald School.

I heard the news about Volker.

What do you want?.

He's dead.

Frank Hoffmann came to see me. - Him?.

He's a brazen liar. Don't believe a word he says.

Could we talk, please?.

Look... here they are in Greece.

Sailing.

See how happy he is?.

People who do such things don't look like that.

You knew him as well.

Volker often went to visit Pistorius in Berlin. Even after school.

Pistorius helped Volker. Gave him money.

He wanted him to go to a clinic. - Did Volker take drugs?.

It was because his father took no interest in him.

I will not let the Odenwald School

be dragged through the mud by people like Frank Hoffmann.

That school saved Volker.

He was only ever happy when he was with Simon Pistorius.

And if anything untoward had happened

I would have known.

Wouldn't l?.

Perhaps one just doesn't want to see it.

Mrs. Blank!

Tomorrow at the school they'll talk about what happened.

I think we should go.

That won't bring my Volker back to life.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the media interest in the accusations leveled at this school

is enormous.

It has prompted us to organize this hearing,

in order to discuss the claims...

the things that allegedly took place at our school.

They concern the former headmaster Simon Pistorius as well as other teachers.

My name is Frank Hoffmann.

I was in Simon Pistorius' family.

When I arrived here today, I wanted to visit the house I used to live in.

But I couldn't.

Because the showers are in there.

The showers where, for four years, he sexually abused me almost every day.

My name is Eric.

Simon Pistorius also abused me. For two years.

He would come into our room at night,

and then he...

He did things to us that shouldn't be done with children.

And we're not the only ones.

There were other victims and other abusers.

And we are here today to speak openly about it.

So that you also have the chance to talk!

We know how you feel.

We too have been plagued by feelings of guilt. To this day.

There must be other former pupils here.

Why don't you talk?. - No one is talking

because it's not true.

I have very different memories of Simon Pistorius.

He was a genius. The best teacher I ever had.

That's how he did it!

Wasn't your father, the Governor, best friends with Simon Pistorius?.

If what you're saying is true, how could your father condone it?.

What are you talking about?. - We tried.

We tried telling our parents. We tried telling the other teachers, but no one...

No one believed us. - I've really had enough of these fairy tales.

If this is really true, why haven't you taken it to court?.

It's time-barred. We were too ashamed for too long.

Ah! - But we have the right to speak at this school.

Ashamed?. Maybe you just smoked too much dope!

I know what I'm talking about.

There's this phenomenon: "False Memory Syndrome".

You just crave recognition! And blame your failed life

on Mr. Pistorius and the whole school.

Pistorius doesn't deserve this! - Frank!

You're just prejudiced against homosexuals.

Loser! - Just listen to us for once!. - What we're saying is true.

The school needs to own up to its past!

We're proud to have been at a school like this,

while you're just slinging mud!

I'm Edith Blank.

I'm Volker's mother.

Volker was in Simon Pistorius' family.

I was so proud,

and happy, knowing my child was in good hands.

I trusted Mr. Pistorius.

Volker died six weeks ago.

I convinced myself that his death was an accident.

But now I know,

Pistorius sexually abused my boy

for years.

It wasn't an accident. It was suicide.

I didn't believe him.

I'll never forgive myself for it.

I'm deeply sorry for what happened to your son.

But we're talking of a school here...

Stop!

You've no idea what you're talking about.

I've been ashamed for 30 years.

I still am today.

And it wasn't just Pistorius.

I was in the family of Manfred "Manni" Wolf.

He treated me like a blow-up doll.

He and three of his esteemed colleagues

forced me over the course of several years

to gratify his member with my mouth.

After he did it to me,

I became another person.

It was... as if he'd taken away my soul.

And from that moment on

the sun no longer shone for me.

I wasn't able to speak anymore.

I went to my sports lessons and... never spoke.

I wanted to talk, but I couldn't talk.

Hello.

Hello, Mr. Pistorius.

I've got your mail.

You've been awarded a prize. From the Teacher's Academy.

There's one from a technical college.

They want you as an Academic Councilor.

This one's from an Edith Blank.

The mother of a certain Volker.

Leave that. Throw it away.

At the Odenwald School from the 1960s to the mid-1990s

at least 132 pupils were abused.

None of the perpetrators have been convicted of their crimes.

Abuse is a time-limited offense. But not for the victims.

This film was made with the assistance of today's Odenwald School,

as part of its efforts to come to terms with its past

following the courageous testimonies of victims.

Subtitles: Simon McEachran

Film und Video Untertitelung GmbH