All language subtitles for De loteling (1974) EN

1833,
a village square in the Kempen.

Conscription into the army
occurred by drawing lots.

This system of recruitment was
commonly known as the Blood Law.

Anthonissen.
- Go on, take a number.

324, exempt.

Name?
- Piet Willems.

Go on, take a number.

28, conscripted.

Bloody ...

Vandenbrande. 44, conscripted.

Get measured up.

Vandewiele.

11, conscripted.

Get measured up.

Karel Timmermans. 6, conscripted.
- Right.

They say you should use your left hand.

At home they light candles in the
chapel. That works just as well.

You know that if you're exempted
there's money to be made.

Let me know.
- 1 will.

Honoré Blijckaerts. 9, conscripted.

Idiot. You can't even do that.
You're going to cost me money, too.

Take care of this, as cheaply as you
can. If it weren't for his mother ...

Of course, sir.
Give me fifteen minutes.

I can't! You bastards!

Let go! I can't! No!

Let me go!

I don't want to join the army!

Your name?
- Jan Braems.

Go on, Braems. Take a number.

434, Braems. You're exempt.

Come on, I'll buy you a beer.

You were lucky.
- Definitely, sir.

I don't know how I'd have told
them at home, if I'd been conscripted.

We're poor, you see.
And with all that work ...

But there's a way of earning money
without working so hard.

I've never heard of that, sir.

Another beer.

Is being a soldier working?
- No, but you don't earn anything.

That's what you think. But if I were
to pay you a nice sum for doing it ...

You?

Why would you do that?

Hey, lads.

I'm exempt.

Flup, I'm exempt.

I'm exempt. Hurray, I'm exempt.

Lads, I'm exempt.

Hey!

I'm exempt.

I'm exempt.

Listen, you give me your number, I give
you a different one and some money, too.

I don't dare tell Katrien that.

Then don't tell her.

Say you've been conscripted
and the money's yours.

Take it with you, to the army, too.

She'll be so happy when you return.
It'll be a surprise.

You can get married, buy a farm.
have three cows instead of one.

I'm worried.
- What's the matter now?

I'm scared.
- Scared? Why?

You know why. For Jan.

What if he has been conscripted?

We'll find out tomorrow.

1 won't get any sleep tonight.
I love him so much.

I don't, I suppose?
- That's different.

You're his grandfather.

What's that?
- What?

That voice?
- Oh, that's nothing.

That's Klaas's dog.

His mistress died last night
from galloping consumption.

That's a bad sign.

They're coming.

They're coming.

I'm exempt. I drew the right lot!
- I'm exempt.

I drew the right lot! I'm exempt!

I'm exempt. I'm exempt.

I've been conscripted.
- Jan!

Jan, tell me it's not true!
You haven't been conscripted!

I have, Katrien.

I have.

Giddy-up!

Whoa.

Come on, giddy-up!

Straighter, damn it.

Straighter, damn it. Giddy-up.

Bloody hell!

Whoa.

Back. Back.

Giddy-up.

Giddy-up.

Giddy-up.

Whoa. Your turn.

My Katrien will never be able to do it.

Whoa.

Come on. Leave it.

Back.
- I didn't know you were like that.

I thought you loved me.
- You know I love you.

But what are you going to do
when I'm in the army? Damn it!

It's always the same ones
who do the work.

You don't have to be cross with me.
- No.

What on earth have I done?

What do you mean, Jan?

You can't help it.
- Bastards!

Passing laws, all for the rich.
But I'm not going!

If the gendarmes come to get me
I'll use my fork.

Whoa.

Jan, lad.

I'm not your mother,
but can I give you some good advice?

Be careful not to get into bad company.

And stay devout.

You know what I mean.

Keep yourself pure.

Ill think of you all.

Every day.

And let us know how you are.

Well, Jan. Make sure
you don't get into any trouble.

Yes, I'll make sure.
- You are rather stubborn.

And hot-tempered.

Control yourself, eh?
And do what your superiors tell you.

Even if you think
they've got it completely wrong.

You just have to think,
they're my superiors.

Bye, Jan.

Come here.

Bye.

You won't forget me, will you?
- You don't need to ask that.

I've promised that so often.

Will you wait for me?

I'll look after your grandfather and
your brother while you're away.

I'll do everything. Look after the horse
and plough in a straight line.

I'm strong and healthy enough.

And when you return,
everything will be as it was.

Everything?
- Everything.

And I won't go to the fair
if you're not here.

I won't enjoy myself anyway.

And you mustn't do
what the smith says,

drink and chase girls.

Farewell, my love,
I have to leave you now.

Farewell, my love,
I'm off to join the army.

Farewell, farewell ...

Shall be put to death,
any soldier who capitulates

if he has failed to defend himself
in every possible way.

Shall be put to death,
any soldier who has left his post

or abandoned his position
to flee from the enemy.

Any soldier on guard duty
who leaves his post

shall be sentenced to two years
in a disciplinary company.

He shall be sentenced to death if
this was in the presence of the enemy.

The soldier who refuses
to obey his superiors

shall be sentenced
to five years in a disciplinary company.

If this occurs
in the presence of the enemy

the guilty soldier
shall be sentenced to death.

He shall be sentenced to death if he
participates in an uprising in wartime.

Shall be sentenced to death,
any soldier who deserts to the enemy.

Deserters are all soldiers who leave
their corps or detachment without ...

Karel, what's he saying now?
- Something about being shot dead.

...during peace time.

Lads, I'm your doctor.

I've got one thing to say.

Make sure I see you
as little as possible.

I don't know where you come from,

but I'm saying it for your own good.

A good soldier
is a soldier who keeps himself clean.

You see here three decent lads,
but they didn't listen to me.

Of those who don't wash themselves
every day with soap

and behave badly outside barracks

nine out of ten go blind.
Understand?

Only cleanliness can keep you healthy.

Ensure your collar and shako
aren't tight.

Getup.

Getup.

Get up, all of you.

Come on. Get up, I said.

Are you still asleep?
Come on, get up.

Don't you understand?

Do you understand this?

Getup.

Come on, get up.

Getup, I said.

Getup.

Are we busy picking daisies?

Or are we praying?

Hurry up, my friend.

Go on. Outside.

Go on. Outside.

Those who understand French,
raise your hand.

Do you speak Flemish?
- No.

What about you?
- Nor do I.

And you?
- Yes, a bit.

Come here.

Tell them what I order.

You and you, come with me.

The others can stand at ease.
You can come too.

Follow.

Pick up those baskets.
- Pick up baskets.

And follow me.
- Follow.

Tip them out.

Empty.

They must put hay in their left boot,
the foot nearest to the stables.

Hay in the clog nearest to stables.

Like this.

You too.

Come on.

Pay attention. Listen carefully.
When I say 'hay' you lift up that leg.

Hay.

Pay attention.

Hay.

Hay.

Hay.

Hay.

Hay.

Alright.

Now straw in the other boot.

Now straw in the other clog.

March.
- Hay, straw, hay, straw, hay, straw.

About turn.

Hay.

It's dinner time.

I've almost finished.

You haven't done much, eh?

When I was younger I used to
dig up this much in half a day.

That's not much help to me.

Tomorrow they're coming for the rent.

Is that your way of encouraging me?

What's this?

Did you make this hole?
-ltwas ...

The rats.
- Rats?

You should look after your things.

That will cost you
7 francs and 75 centimes.

7 francs 75?
That's not my fault.

You've got two years to pay.

As long as
there's no war with the Dutch.

Christ!

Christ, it can't be true.

Thieves.

Filthy thieves.
All my money has been stolen.

Careful, Jan.

Calm down, Jan.
Calm down, Jan.

Bastard.
- Take him away.

Bastard!

It's all been for nothing!
All been for nothing!

Filth. Excrement.

We'll bring you to heel.

Getup. Getup.

Carry on. Faster.

Mr Blijckaerts, notary public, is today,
17th May 1834, proceeding with

the seizure of the goods of
Theofiel and Jan Braems.

Once the furniture, potatoes
and cereals have been sold,

they are the buyers' responsibility.

List of the objects in the house of
Theofiel and Jan Braems in Bosbeke:

A spinning wheel, butter churn,
sheaves of wheat,

pick, scales, a wicker chair

a red and white milking cow,
a heap of manure,

a silk handkerchief,

two mouse traps, a drying pan,
table and chest, an old bed,

two earthenware cloches, chamber pot,
wooden chairs, 14-year-old cart horse.

Legally seized to be sold at auction
in Bosbeke on 10th June 1834.

Whoa, Lizette.

It's strange. He had enough money.

Lizette.

What's up? You're so bad-tempered.
- Don't know, Karel.

I feel so peculiar.
- I know what's the matter.

A big man like you, in weather like
this and away from home for so long.

You need a woman.

I know one, she's just your size.

Karel, what's it going to cost?
- Nothing, I'm paying.

You're my friend.
You can have the pretty one.

Hay, straw, hay, straw, hay, straw ...

A customer for you. A novice.

The mother's mine.
She can teach me a thing or two.

Come on, colonel.

Why are you staying there?

Going to leave your clothes on?

How do you want it?

Is it your first time?

Name?

Braems.

Number?
-110.

Enlisted?
- 8 months and 14 days ago.

What's the matter?

I'm listening.

I'm in pain.

Where?

In my eyes.

What did you do to them?

Washed them.
- Washed them with what?

They told me to wash my eyes with ...

With your piss, I suppose?
Your own piss?

Incredible. In this day and age.

We do our best to teach these louts
the rudiments of hygiene

and they listen to quacks.

Now look.

I have to tell you.
Your eyes are in a bad state.

Bye, Jan.

Verger,
could I use a pen and some ink?

Yes, come with me Katrien.

And how is your Jan?

How our Janis ...
Only the Lord knows that.

It's been six months
since we've had news of him.

But he's a long way away,
north of Maastricht,

and acquaintances don't pass by here
every day.

You and Jan had started courting.
- Just.

Isn't it strange
that you haven't heard from him?

Or maybe he can't write?

He's probably forgotten you.

Are you sure
that I don't need to help you?

As you wish.

It will say things
a stranger shouldn't see.

No, verger.

I wonder
how you will be able to write a letter.

How much do I owe you?

Nothing.

Seeing as it's for you.

Sure you won't eat first?
- I couldn't.

Tell me.

What shall I write?

Well,
about everything that has happened.

That I've had problems with my tonsils.

And that I got kicked by the heifer.

Write that you've picked up the pen
to enquire about his health.

That's how Peer Jans' letter started.
- No, I'm not doing that.

That's far too formal.

Write his name on the paper.
- Which name? Braems?

No. Jan.

Jan.

Jan on its own is so abrupt.
Wouldn't 'Beloved Jan' be better?

Beloved Jan?

Yes, Beloved Jan.

Can't you write a bit faster?

Otherwise it won't be written
before next week.

And say that we've lost the farm.

No.

I'm not writing that.

That would upset him too much.

Read out what you've written.

Beloved Jan,
How are you?

God be thanked,
we are all keeping well,

so is the horse and our cow,
but not grandfather, who is ill.

And we all wish you a good day.

It's been six months
since we had news of you

and we are wondering how you are
doing with all those soldiers.

And do you get enough to eat?

Pauwke, go and get the sickle.

Hello, Jef. How are you?
- Fine, Katrien, fine.

I've been to Venlo.

I was there last week.

I bumped into Karel,
the potato farmer's son.

Jan's friend.

He told me Jan isn't well.
- Jan?

What's the matter?

Tell me.

I've come out of my way to tell you.

He's in the infirmary.
His eyes are bad.

He's blind.

He's blind.

You don't dare say it.

Mother. Mother, I'm going to Venlo.

I've saved just enough to get there.

I must go to Jan.
He needs me, I can feel it.

Come to keep me company?
- Is this where Jan Braems is?

Jan Braems? The one that's blind?

So it's true. I knew it!

Take me to him quickly.
He'll be so happy.

No one's allowed
to visit the blind soldiers.

That's unfair. I've come a long way
and I'm not allowed to see him.

Please, let me in.
- I'd get into trouble.

Even if I have to break in,
I will see him and talk to him.

No one can stop me.

I must see him.

BLIND SOLDIERS

Jan?

Jan?

Jan?

Jan!
- Katrien?

Katrien?

Jan, oh Jan.

It's alright, Katrien.
They see with their fingers.

Come on, lads. Leave her alone.
She's my girlfriend. You're scaring her.

Hey, what's going on there?

Who let you in?
Leave immediately!

I'm not doing any harm.
Let me stay for another half an hour.

No, not a minute longer.
We'll put an end to this!

I'm not allowed to let anyone in.
Civilians aren't allowed in here.

Certainly not women.
- Fifteen minutes.

Have pity on us.
You speak Flemish just like us.

Certainly not.

I'll see you get nothing to eat.

She's leaving, sergeant.

You'll lose your stripes, you idiot.
Throw her out.

What's going on?

The commander's wife is there. She's
from Antwerp. She speaks Flemish.

And she's a good woman.

What do you think I can do for you?
- I don't know, madam.

But they won't let me see Jan.
And he's gone blind.

And I've come such a long way.

Wait a moment.

Very charming.

But what would you have me do,
my dear?

It's very kind-hearted of you,
but I always keep to the rules.

Don't you want me to do a good deed,
Lucien?

De Hert?
- Yes, commander?

Do you remember circular 282
about the blind soldiers?

Find it for me.

Here it is.

With the commander's permission
blind soldiers may go on leave

for an indefinite period
pending the final ...

That's perfect.

Go and fetch ... What's his name?
- Jan Braems, commander.

Yes, fetch Baer.

Braems, commander.

Precisely, Baer.

Is he your brother
or one of the family?

I'm not his sister but we've lived under
the same roof since we were children.

Well, then you're his sister.

Get his papers ready
and make a note of that.

Would you like
to take your Jan home with you?

Don't say that if you don't mean it.
- I mean it. Don't I, Lucien?

Of course.

He may go home.

Thank you, my dear.

I'm allowed to go home with you.
I'm allowed to go home.

Damn it, if only I could see you.

Thank you, madam.
If you don't go to heaven, who will?

Commander, there's a complication.

He still owes two francs
for his damaged knapsack.

Have you got two francs?

I've only got one and a half.

What ...
- Forget it. We'll sort that out.

Thank you.
- We have to help each other.

There's enough quarrelling among
the higher-ups. Good luck.

Katrien? Where are you?
- Here, Jan. I'm here.

Shhh! What's the matter?

I was dreaming.

I dreamt that I was lying here
all alone. You'd abandoned me.

You mustn't think such a thing.
You know dreams are nonsense.

I've got some food here.

If 1 go too fast sometimes, tell me.

We'll talk on the way.

The time will pass quicker.

And don't be sad.

We'll be home in about four days.

They will be so pleased to see you.

He's fine there.
It's cooler on the river than here.

Thank you so much for helping us.

I'll give you a couple of loaves

and a rope
so that you can tie him to you.

You should go on a pilgrimage
to St. George.

St. George cures boils
and diseases of the eye.

He cured my uncle completely.

You'll have to show me the way.

Katrien.

I don't think I can walk
ten more hours today.

I can see two steeples in the distance.

How far away are they?
- An hour or two.

Can you carry on that long?

Yes. Yes.

Why are you stopping?
- I've done something silly.

We've come to a stream.

Isn't there a bridge?
- I can't see one.

Is the water deep?
- I don't think so.

Come on, give me your hand.

Katrien!

Katrien.
- Jan. Jan.

Giddy-up.

Come on.

We've never laid like this before.

You're $0 quiet.

What will you do with a blind man?

The same as with a man who can see.

You know very well it's not the same.

To me it is.

You're young and beautiful. You'd be
spending your life with a wretch!

And I'd be wretched without you.

I won't be left on the shelf.

Do what you like,
you won't get rid of me.

I will take you by the arm
and drag you to the altar.

Katrien. I wish I could see you.

The misery started
the day we drew lots.

If only I could rip it out of my life.
- Jan.

You're my Jan
and the rest doesn't matter.

Katrien.

Katrien.

We'll throw the baby in the water.

Where's the money?

There isn't any ...
There isn't any money.

There's one up there!

They're coming up here.

Hit them with this when I tell you.

Look out. Get ready.

Jan.

Jan.

We have to get away.
There are lots of them.

Fransoo is dead.

Bloody hell!

The baby, the baby!
Get it out of the water!

The baby!

The baby!

They're leaving.

Shall we go and beg from the nuns?

Imbecile. If we need anything
we'll just take it.

Christ, look over there!

That wench that saw us.
- With the blind fellow?

Let's get out of here before she goes
to the gendarmes. But I'll get her.

May we, oh Lord,
through the power of this mystery

be cleansed of our sins
and kept safe from our enemies.

It's incredibly beautiful here.

I've never seen anything like it.

And the nuns' clothes are so beautiful.

They are giving the poor souls food.

There's someone covered in boils.

The paintings ...

And all the gold on the altar.

It's so beautiful I can't describe it.

We dedicate this offering to you,
Our Lord, that we may attain salvation.

Cleanse our souls of unchaste thoughts

and keep them pure.

Oh Merciful God, may this offering

save us from our sins and
deliver us from all evil.

Here is that miraculous statue, Jan,
that the bargee's wife told us about.

We must pray with all our heart.

Let me refresh you.

That feels good.

You knew where I was.
- I saw you, Katrien.

My right eye is not completely dead.

That's not true.
You're imagining it.

1did,
I saw you like a shadow in the dark.

Maybe it will get better then.

Our Lord has answered our prayer.

I can't go on, Katrien.

I can't walk any more.

I keep falling over.

There's some shade over there.

We have to reach it.

I can't see a thing.

Not a thing.

I never will again.

What are you doing here?

This is private property.

What's up with him?

That's a job for our doctor.

Come with me.

It happened in the army.
- Yes, the same old story.

The hot water and the alcohol.

Do you know what is wrong
with society?

No, sir.

Things will never go well if reason
and intellect are not in charge.

The elite, the intelligentsia,

the disciples of Montesquieu and
Voltaire, they should be in power.

That's too scholarly for us.

But where are the enlightened leaders?

Where is the society where
everyone knows his place?

The bandages.

Philosophers and geniuses like Plato
should take charge,

they should become general and
minister, cardinal and king.

We don't understand
anything about politics, sir.

Do you think his eyes will get better?

It will turn out alright.
I've seen cases like this before.

If you apply regular elder leaf
compresses, it will get better.

Stupid old fool, you're the doctor now,
are you? Get out.

You can't read or write.
And you're telling us what to do!

What's going on?
- I can't do any more for you.

Go now.

Where are we?
- Near the woods.

We're almost there.

What's up, Katrien?

What's up?

Katrien?
- The foot-burners.

Keep him there.

What are you going to do, you
bastards? We're just people like you.

No, we're not like you.
And you needn't get impatient.

I'll describe everything in detail.

Don't worry, soldier.

Her dress is coming off.
- It's not true, Jan!

It's not true, Jan!

And now her petticoat.
- Bastard.

She's completely naked, soldier.
Have you ever seen her like that?

You can still smell, can't you?
- No, no!

It's not true, Jan.
It's not true.

I'm going to grab her breasts.
- It's not true.

And her nipples.

And her thighs. Her arse, soldier.
- Bastard!

I can see her paradise, soldier.

It'll be quiet for a bit, now.

Jan, darling Jan.
It's not true, Jan. It's not true.

It's your turn now.

Katrien?

Katrien?

Jan?

Jan, we must go on.

We can't stay here.

No.

No.

Come on then.