Original subtitles

"The fact that the war was over, I thought I never saw it when I,

were captured German soldiers by the Russians. "

"They played music and sang

and we were so happy. "

"Es war der 8. Mai."

“Theresienstadt has been released. "

“We have been released. "

"I was told he was going to England. "

"It was good. "

“Everything was better than where we arrived. "

“We were the first 300 guys who were allowed to come. "

«Ils nous ont emmenés à Prague. »

«The gouvernement britannique avait envoyé vieux avions bombardier,

to bring autour de nous ".

«Je ne connaissais rien de l'Angleterre, ne parlait pas un mot d'anglais. »

"I came with nothing, didn't even have my own clothes."

"I did not know,

where it went and what we would do there. "

"We were free."

"We could do whatever we wanted."

"We could say whatever we wanted."

"I thought I was in heaven."

"That I survived, that I would get to this place."

Oscar Friedmann Jock Lawrence

Marie Paneth

* carried music *

They lead me under a different name.

I found that out when I got off the plane.

Male or female? - Male.

Then everything is fine. - This is not my name.

What is your name now? - Ephraim Minsburg.

Ephraim, that was my friend. It was a fine guy.

My name is Chaim Olmer.

Are you perhaps luckier than Ephraim.

* He speaks Polish. *

* carried string music *

That is the last group. It was a long day.

Let's try to get them to their accommodations quickly.

Welcome! It's warm inside.

The Lady.

Please come here, children.

Get through here, kids. - Welcome.

Get out. * English: *

Right this way. Right this way.

No fear. Please keep going, children.

Welcome to Windermere. * He chokes. *

Ah! Ah!

Please, sir, the one that has no intention.

The flight is so shaky and the bus shaky too.

This is quickly remedied with a damp cloth.

Please keep going. Follow your friends.

Please go inside. Welcome.

Please keep going, children. * Polish: *

Boys left. Girl to the right.

Take off your clothes.

Take all valuables and put them in your suitcase.

Throw things in the pile.

They are burned because of the risk of typhoid fever.

Don't worry, we are expecting new clothes for you tomorrow.

Looks so familiar to me.

He said tomorrow. So: relax.

* Polish: *

Then join the medical examination.

You will get something to wear tomorrow.

What do you think? Another selection? - Hey, now we're in England.

Hey, no matter where we are, we're still Jews.

* Babble of voices, uncomfortable music *

Throw everything there.

The next one, please.

Oscar!

Ah, um, I would like to introduce Edith and Georg Lauer to you.

They were interned with some of the children in Theresienstadt.

Edith, Georg, may I introduce

the highly revered director of our Oscar Friedmann project.

On the go all day. You must be exhausted.

We are glad that we have finally arrived.

Before he came here, Oscar directed in Germany

a home for behaviorally traumatized boys.

Because of this experience, he is predestined

for working with our protégés.

So I asked him to lead this project.

The kids will stay here for four months?

Yes. And afterwards?

We are already taking care of

what happens to them after Windermere.

Right this way.

Come on, you look tired.

* He sighs. *

Mr. Friedmann. One of the boys refuses to get out.

He refuses? I told him,

he has nothing to fear here, but he doesn't want to get out.

* Steps *

Salek, right?

I could tell you now that you're safe here.

But why should you believe me?

To stay here makes sense.

On the other hand, there are two things you know.

The Nazis are defeated.

And you can't sit here forever.

Anyway, no one will drag you out of here.

How was it?

We talked. Now we are waiting.

And how long do we want ... * Steps *

Take him in, Jock. Okay?

Come with me, Salek. We're going in.

Nothing happens to you here. We are with you. Everything will be fine.

Come this way. Yes?

We'll have you examined quickly. Sister?

Come here. Don't worry, Salek.

My name is, uh, my name is Jock Lawrence. And what is your name?

B - seven - six - zero - eight.

No. Say your real name.

This gentleman wants to know what your name is.

Arek. Arek Herszlikowicz.

Arek. And where are you from, boy? Tell us where you are from

Otoschno. Auschwitz. Buchenwald. Theresienstadt.

He was in four camps?

As I said, smaller than you would expect for your age.

Various scars on the back and arms. Uh, burns.

Finger injuries - healed but bad.

Please open your mouth, boy.

Please open your mouth.

Four teeth are missing. A few are carious.

This has to do with malnutrition.

Another candidate for the dentist.

I am listed here as Ephraim Minsburg.

The papers must be correct. We should find my sister

when I stand there as someone else? - Why is he complaining?

Another boy wanted to go back to Poland at the last minute.

He took his place, but the list of names was not corrected.

My name is Chaim Olmer.

I have to be here under my own name.

My dear boy, calm down.

We'll sort it out as soon as possible, okay?

And until then: welcome to England.

Try to be patient, that will be fixed soon.

Seaplanes were built here in Calgarth during the war.

You will live in the former workers' quarters.

I have to think of Buchenwald immediately.

But no searchlight, no electric fence, no watchtowers.

No crematorium.

Excuse me sir?

Our families, when do we learn about them?

As soon as the Red Cross has information,

forward them to us immediately.

And when is that?

I wish I could answer the question for you.

But soon, I hope soon.

So here are your bedrooms.

Bunk beds? - bunk beds?

Everyone has their own room.

* dull sounds *

* Babble of voices *

Sleep well, Ben.

You will be there soon.

Compared to the survivors from the newsreels

they look more normal than I expected.

Three months ago

you wouldn't have recognized any of the children.

This direction, please.

Mr. Friedmann clearly stated:

Girls and boys have to sleep separately.

But these boys and girls are inseparable.

Without structures, they become the chaos of their previous lives

can never leave behind. I understand that. But you don't.

Then we have to explain it to them.

May I suggest teaching them tomorrow?

After she and I slept?

* carried music *

Shouldn't I ... Thanks, I'll do it.

Tomorrow you can be in the boys area and with the other boys.

The girls go to the girls' area

to the other girls. * Spit *

He strikes after most. I think he likes you.

* Marie breathes shakily. *

I wasn't expecting small children to survive.

That was rare, they were hiding.

Live on garbage like the rats.

I'm curious to see how it all affected her.

Turn around.

They follow Bela wherever she goes.

They are always together.

The Lauers think that four months is far from enough.

In any case, you will have a lot to do.

One of the boys said to me:

"The reason I'm alive is because I was strong enough

to take the bread from someone who was too weak to eat it. "

You learned in the camps

survive at all costs, you understand?

Four months.

Not much time to reintegrate them into society.

To bring them to a common place

was your idea, we achieved it.

I got as much money as I could.

I wish I could give you more time.

* Tragic sounds rise and fade away. *

* chirping birds *

* quiet snoring *

* Lighter clicks. *

* trembling breathing *

* soft music *

* He laughs. *

* emotional music *

* He cheers. *

* devout music *

* He laughs exuberantly. *

"Good morning to all of you. I look forward to seeing you."

"My name is Oscar Friedmann

and together with my wonderful employees

I'll be there for you in the next four months

and stand by your side. "

That we can be here

we owe the sympathy of the British government.

Should you feel anger, feel sad

or not coping well with your bad experiences,

then please contact me.

Because of course the door to my office is always open.

To make up for the missed school years ...

* Polish: *

Oscar, if you ask me, everyone's stomach hangs somewhere else.

Rabbi Weiss will now speak the blessing on the bread.

Baruch atah Adonai ...

* wild babble of voices *

Hertha, more bread! More bread! You should see that it does not go out.

* oppressive music *

Do you think meals are always like this now?

I hope not.

Do you already have an idea how to tame it?

You "tame"?

Jock, they're not animals.

* oppressive sounds *

The next. Please stay there.

* Spraying *

The next. * To cough *

Eyes closed. * Polish: *

The next.

* scraps of English conversation, laughter *

* English: *

* Cheers, laughter *

* Spraying *

Wah! Wah! * Laughter *

Wah! Wah!

* emotional music *

* Cheers *

* Bicycle bell *

* Bicycle bell, cheers *

* Emotional music fades away. *

Oh, Mrs. Lauer?

Good Morning.

I wanted to go for the inappropriate statements,

I did yesterday about the little kids

to apologize. You don't have to.

Alright.

I would like to understand the little ones better.

So I wanted to ask you if you might

could bring to my classroom to paint?

For drawing?

I developed therapy

where we invite children to paint

without guiding or criticizing them in any way.

The children decide everything themselves: the colors, the motifs.

As I could tell

this freedom allows your subconscious mind

to reveal themselves on paper.

It would be absolutely fascinating to find out

what the little leader ... Bela.

To be able to analyze a visual representation of their psychology,

would be just great.

I wanted to go for a walk with them.

Come with me.

* quiet scraps of conversation *

* Icek speaks Polish. *

* English: *

* Polish: *

I hope to see you again soon, ladies.

* English: *

* Polish: *

* Dog barks, children screech. *

But he doesn't do anything.

It is not your dog - it is every dog.

Children!

Are these the Jewish children we were told about?

Some of them, yes.

We were promised that the country after the war

would come back to the communities.

Why don't their own people take them in?

Most of the Jewish communities

are now in the cities.

Then send them to the cities.

That is the plan as soon as we provide them with caring care

have backed up again.

It's not fair

that we should take in all the strangers here now, right?

Madam.

Do you even know what these children had to go through?

The war was terrible for everyone.

Not only for the Jews, do you understand?

Children!

Bela?

Children!

Bela!

There you are.

Bela. You can get up again, dear ones.

He is gone.

The dog is gone.

* Polish: *

* Babble of voices *

* Polish: *

What's up there?

* Babble of voices, shouts, laughter *

Who still needs shoes?

* dynamic music *

* English: *

Without cigarettes you really do it easier.

* English: *

* Calls from outside *

Sorry, gentlemen:

Is there anything you'd rather talk about?

The girls here?

He likes the girls here?

Sala? Please come. You're welcome.

Look at me and listen carefully.

Ephraim Minsburg.

* Quiet music *

Mummy.

* suffering moan *

* Calls *

* Screams *

* Whimper *

I wonder if they'll ever be free of nightmares?

Talking about it will help them.

Constant hunger, beatings,

Shootings, hanging, gassing. It was normal in her life.

What do you want to tell them?

"You have to forget that, focus on the future?"

First I want to listen.

A favorite game of the guards was

To put broken glass in our soup and watch

how some of us were bleeding to death from the inside.

Who could remember a life before that

it was all horrible for him.

But these kids, they grew up with this horror.

It was normal for them.

If you ask them how they are doing,

they probably shrug their shoulders.

I have the impression that most don't want to talk about it.

Rather, they are obsessed with the fate of their relatives.

Every day they ask when the Red Cross comes with news.

* dark sounds *

Very pretty.

Nice.

* Calls from outside *

* Whistle *

Come on guys. Hang in there a little bit more.

Here I am free!

Come on, here!

Is it very good, or is the rest just very, very bad?

He lacks technology, but his speed,

his balance, his strength - he is clearly a born athlete

Actually amazing. Yes Perfect!

What was that? - Come on!

Oscar, I have the coach of a team

addressed here in Windermere.

You would like to play a friendly game with us.

A friendly game? Uh-huh.

Exactly, meant as a gesture of friendship

the local community towards the children.

Is the team good? Yes, pretty good.

Well, if you had eleven of him maybe.

I only think what doesn't kill them makes them stronger.

I think you should do something you can

and not what they cannot.

Thank the trainer, but no.

Stop the ball!

* Quiet music *

Hello, love.

* English: *

Georg. In there.

It's enough now. Do you stay with the kids?

It's really good, thanks.

* sad music *

You are doing well, thank you.

* loud vocals in the film *

* occasional laughter *

* Laughter *

* The woman speaks English. *

* Vocals in the film *

* Laughter *

Come on, Ben.

Boy, I've been a physical education teacher for many years now,

teach all kinds of sports.

The highest I expect is a dash of enthusiasm

and the ability to put the sports shoe on properly.

The group of those who have real physical abilities

is usually very small.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

Sport shoe.

You are a real natural.

As with any natural talent, you have to

to make something out of it, work hard.

I give you a book that contains exercises

that you can watch if you're interested.

* Laughter *

No, this is for you, boy.

Thanks alot.

* Laughter *

Forget the concept of talent.

Whether the child is a good or bad artist

that doesn't matter now.

I am only interested in what you paint.

You can do it with them

of the survivors of the bombing raids?

Despite the bombing, these children expressed themselves

as you would expect from someone with good mental health.

Uh, bold colors,

clear blue skies, bright suns,

happy faces, they painted happy times.

Our children, on the other hand, paint their most painful memories

from the loss of their family and their identity.

And extreme violence.

It's like they have happy memories

no access anymore, you understand?

"Everyone had his own" ... At the gate in Buchenwald, I know.

I sit here all day waiting

that they speak to me.

And here they scream it out of themselves.

* Oscar sighs. *

* Marie sighs. *

Before I came here, I had decided

to keep their experiences away from me

to ... to protect myself from it.

But how else can you understand these pictures?

How can you suffer

ignore that you see on each of these pictures?

And that's exactly what I see week after week.

When I saw that, I felt such sadness

that I did something that had never happened to me before.

I instinctively went there and hugged this boy.

Oh, Marie.

We feel obliged to react in this way

as if they were our own children.

Only what we feel doesn't help them.

* soft whimper *

* dark choral music *

* He groans in his sleep. *

* He gasps. *

* Rain is pattering, soft calls from inside. *

Shmuel?

* melancholic strings *

* Birds chirp, rain *

* distant roar of thunder *

* English: *

* Rain patter *

* Polish: *

* English: *

* Cars are approaching, horns. *

* high whistle *

* dull roar *

"Dear Mr. Falinower,

in relation to our prior notification to you

we have to inform you that you ...

... that according to further information,

which the British authorities have received ... "

* Polish: *

"We deeply regret

having to relay this sad news to you

and would like to express our condolences and condolences to you

to speak about this tragic loss.

Sincerely yours ..."

* depressed sounds *

* Scream *

What is there about my brother?

Your brother is not mentioned here at all.

Because he is still alive.

You don't mention your brother

because they have no news from him.

My brother is alive.

I'm afraid that's unlikely.

You cannot know everything.

Salek.

He lives.

* Polish: *

* Water ripples. *

* complete silence *

* He takes a deep breath. *

* Chair back *

* Hebrew funeral prayer *

* Prayer, carried string music *

* Polish: *

* Quick steps, door slams. *

* Sobs *

Sala?

* depressing music *

* Twittering birds *

* soft rushing water *

I was thinking how long we should stay.

I thought we agreed

to stay as long as the kids.

in addition,

where should we go?

Just get away from here.

Europe is a cemetery.

I can find and research a laboratory in America

and you could ... - Posh.

Who is there?

Salek?

Salek!

What are you doing here?

I'm waiting.

To whom, dear?

I know my parents are dead, and so is my sister.

But not my brother.

Listen, Salek ... - He'll find me, I know.

And I don't want to miss him when he comes.

* rushing water *

* melancholic music *

Sala?

Sala, soon,

when you are back full of strength

when you live your own life again

then you will find someone who loves you as much as you love him.

* soft sobs *

To me! What was that? Focus on the game.

Can you pass the ball to me once in my life?

What for? You don't know what to do with it.

But you know In the center! Everyone, immediately! Come!

* Whistle * down. And pushups.

Now please.

Lot 20.

* strained sounds *

Again with Ben.

Does it have to be that fast? - It's my normal pace.

That's the problem.

You have to follow our normal pace.

* Whistle *

I have enough, I stop.

Back on the floor. You didn't even get five.

You are like a guard, I knew.

You look like him, you voice like him, you ...

Pipe. - pipe like him.

Back on the floor, boy.

What do you want from me boy

Do you want me to spare you? Out of pity?

Do you want to live your life outside? Hm?

How long do you think pity lasts?

"Poor refugee children" ...

You're not just a refugee ... Spare me the sermon, Rabbi.

I know what they are. Do you think in six months

Does anyone care out there?

Everyone suffered in the war. But not like her.

People don't compare loss and misery.

What I was still missing: That a Goi again prescribes me.

Arek!

God doesn't care, Rabbi. Believe me.

Maybe stop screaming?

I didn't scream. Everyone speaks like that in Scotland.

Ben! Leave him alone.

Take care of your affairs, Rabbi. Ben!

I have a new training plan for you

now that you have more strength

You always have to motivate yourself, my son.

I am the son of Moishe Helfgott.

Shot dead when he wanted to escape death march.

Age 37.

I'm not saying this for pity.

For truth.

That's what we say with us.

I say that to everyone.

I don't want you to say to me.

You're welcome.

Roger that.

The war is over, Berish.

Time to look ahead.

Not so easy,

when everyone you love is in the past.

* calm piano music, chirping birds *

* Polish: *

* He takes a deep breath. *

* energetic music *

* soft squeak *

* muffled rustling *

* The door claps shut. *

* Cheers *

* strained breaths *

* restless sounds *

* startled sound *

* Sizzling *

I assume that your eggs have tasted, gentlemen.

And also the other foods that are missing.

We also miss knives, forks,

Spoons, plates, bowls,

Bikes, even a frying pan from the dining room.

Anything that isn't nailed down or locked away

threatens to disappear here.

* Someone's Knocking. * Yes?

There is a woman from Windermere. It's about a dog.

What dog?

A missing dog.

The residents of this community have always been good to us.

Stealing from them is completely unacceptable.

No punishment awaits you.

On the contrary: I have great respect for

who faces up to his responsibility.

Did you take the dog

Then please bring him here.

Instead of giving him the tail, the child is moved.

Unlike carpets, my lady,

do not get better with beating in children.

* Steps *

* soft whine *

Thanks boy.

I am sorry,

my lady.

* soft barking *

Thank you, Juliusz.

* Car door slams. *

* Engine starts. *

The invitation to the friendly soccer game

between us and the locals to promote good relationships ...

Now maybe you should think about it again.

* Bark *

* Hebrew singing *

* English: *

* Whistle * come to me. Thirty pushups.

* Twittering birds, melancholic music *

* Prayer *

* Music continues. *

Very nice.

* Calls *

* Singing *

Good luck in America.

* Music ends. *

We all knew that this moment would come.

We have done everything

thus the transition for the time after Windermere

takes place as gently as possible.

Each of us has tried

the prerequisite for every child

to give for a full and productive life.

And we made sure

that every child has a place to go.

We really can't do more.

I wish I could say that everyone is ready.

The same thing happened to me.

Which parents think they have their children well enough?

prepared to leave the nest?

Right.

And yet the forests are full of dead young birds,

that were kicked out too early.

We don't push them out.

Your departure is carefully planned

and they are supported just as carefully.

Compared to their arrival, they are transformed.

Outwardly, yes.

You are fatter, fitter,

learned the language well, but ...

... but up there?

Who knows?

If I had accepted the government’s original offer,

we would now be sitting on milk boxes in a hall in a London suburb

and talked about ten children, not over 300.

We have to accept

that both the community's financial resources are limited,

as well as patience

and the readiness of the British government.

I would also like to do more for you.

* He sighs. *

Six months ago

they lived from one moldy piece of bread to the next.

Many had given up hope.

Your compassion has revived them.

They owe it to you

that they now have the tools,

to be able to look to the future with confidence and hope.

We see every day

how new relationships emerge.

And break up again. Yes. But that's normal.

They are finally behaving like normal children their age.

In just four months.

It is extraordinary.

I applaud.

I applaud all of you.

* soft music *

* Bicycle bell *

* quiet conversations *

Warm up, boys. Gather up.

Stretch nicely.

Mr. Montefiore?

Mr. Montefiore? Is there anything new about my papers?

Yes, my dear boy. I hit the ball long ago.

The ball? - The ball is in motion

and the wheels turn.

If the wind is still good and we persist,

then you should get your papers soon.

When?

I can not tell you that.

But I can tell you:

It will be so.

Welcome to England.

* English: *

Family.

Family.

* Sobs *

* hopeful music *

* Babble of voices *

* Whistle *

* Cheers *

Shoot!

* Sigh *

Ah! * Whistle *

Throw in Calgarth.

Do you have the emergency case with you? - In the car.

* Babble of voices *

* English: *

* lively music *

* Whistle *

* Music increases. *

* Whistle *

Halftime!

1: 1. Well played guys.

Your guys are pretty brutal, but effective.

You could say so.

You do great, boys, really great.

Individually, you're both a couple of soccer clowns,

but when you play together you're deadly. Keep it up.

This also applies to the rest of you, continue in the duels.

Can I insert something? Naturally.

Great how you present yourself.

However, this team that you so effectively stand up to

they are all children of these wonderful people.

And without them, your stay in Windermere would never have been possible.

So maybe that's just a suggestion

Mr Lawrence is your trainer, not me

but maybe you try

not breaking anyone's leg in the second half?

In the spirit of friendship.

What do you think, Mr. Lawrence?

Yes, would be conceivable.

Excellent.

You already do it.

So guys: Whatever happens, I'm sure you make us proud.

He says we're losing game? No no. No.

What he wanted to say is that sometimes it's less important

to win badly than to lose well.

Good to lose?

And to win something much bigger than a football game.

Do you understand?

Well, tell the team.

* Whistle *

Did you see that? He just gave the ball up.

* Babble of voices *

Is this a Jewish thing?

* loud engine *

* Babble of voices *

* English: *

Salek.

* soft, calm music *

I don't think so.

Salek!

Chiel?

* He laughs. *

* Quiet music *

* Laugh *

* You laugh and cry. *

* Polish: *

Bread is life. Nobody understands this better than you.

* He prays in Hebrew. *

Amen.

Thank you, Rabbi.

* Chair back *

Ladies and gentlemen, dear guest.

After everything you've lost, there's nobody

who deserves more than you that the world is at his feet.

But: If you leave here, please don't expect anything.

And don't grab everything you want

because you feel that your destiny gives you the right to do so.

Earn your place in the world

just as you earned the friendships here.

In Calgarth you created a new family

with brothers and sisters,

that will accompany you for the rest of your life.

Take good care of each other.

Be proud of who you are and what you've survived.

* emotional music *

"And even in the darkest moments, be open to miracles,

that life can offer. "

Especially then.

To you, my dear children. L'Chaim!

L'Chaim!

* A child's voice hums the melody. *

"I was alive again."

Everything opened up for me again.

I felt like a human again.

I owe that to Windermere.

"The memories are indescribable."

"After all the misery, hunger, diseases"

the good started in Windermere.

I made a lot of friends there.

That was the most important thing: I was no longer alone.

"Windermere was my first home in England."

"I will always feel that I belong to the place."

I am a citizen of a state, I am proud of that.

When I show my British passport, I know who I am.

"Above all, we are eternally grateful to the British government

that she gave us the chance "

to live again.

The chance to work here.

"We could talk about the past

our experiences, better than any other. "

Even if we got in our hair from time to time.

Je suis une personne heureuse.

De plus, j'essayer d'aider mon prochain, je peux.

* Musique émotionnelle *

* La voix de l'enfant continue. *

* Musique that fades away. *

Sous-titres pour ZDF, 2020