Original subtitles

HUNGAROFILM PRESENTS

25 FIREMANS STREET

FEATURING

Photography by S�NDOR S�RA

Written and Directed by ISTV�N SZAB�

MAFILM STUDIO, BUDAPEST

"Our house is a fragment of the past. People here live in a tangle of memories.

The hardest decisions of their lives came during the war years,

when their humanity was put to its fiercest test.

Perhaps on this night they may finally take leave of this house and its past..."

25 FIREMANS STREET

I'll open it a bit. Perhaps we'll get a breeze.

Mother, has it ever been this hot in your life?

A few times.

Make the beds, Gyozo. I've taken my sleeping pill.

The little baby sleeps

See the little one sleep

Sleep, baby, sleep

You use too much makeup, Krisyta. You'll get wrinkles.

You didn't use makeup at my age?

- You saying I've got wrinkles? - Don't be silly.

You've written a lot today, dear.

"I'm pleased that my A's and O's have improved.

Now I'll write a whole page of A's."

Beautiful.

You ought to rest now.

I'll go to bed... all by myself.

Good night.

It's stifling tonight.

- Good night, Imre. - Sleep well.

It's particularly hot tonight.

- I'm so thirsty... - You drink too much.

I feel awful.

If only he'd die tonight, it would be over.

It can't last long now. The doctor said so.

If only he'd die tonight...

Taxes on the business...

You promised you'd send money.

Thanks. Good night.

Not bad. Breasts and bottom okay. She's no lady, no.

If I could have a girl like her just once...

Oh, sweet Jesus, Lord Almighty, I am tired, my eyes are closing.

Father, yours are always open. Watch over me until morning.

One, two, three, four...

The pill will take effect in about ten minutes.

I must have patience.

It doesn't take effect right away. There's still ten minutes to go.

If only my head wasn't buzzing.

In ten minutes I'll be asleep, with God's help.

I should think of dresses, pretty dresses...

My pink evening dress with those tiny green flowers...

Why the hell did I leave it with Elsa in 1945?

She's never been of any help to me.

I should think of dresses.

Forests burning, houses burning Look yonder, look yonder

Firel Fire.! How far is the channel.!

- I brought your book back. - Come in.

What do you want from me, Andris?

Why don't you go to Kriszta or Anna?

They're pretty, they're young, their thighs are firm.

Kiss my mouth, too.

- Why don't you kiss my mouth? - I don't like kissing.

Silly boy.

All right.

You are good.

You are very good.

Why do young men like me? Tell me.

Come on, tell me. Tell me now.

Heavens!

How tired I am today... how tired.

Our Father who art in heaven...

The rent money... I've set it aside.

Of course I've set it aside.

Thy Kingdom come...

Why do you give her so much, Mama? She'll get fat and won't be able to work.

It wasn't that much.

Madam means well, Erzsi. Gluttony is sinful.

Yes, I mean well! Mama knows, doesn't she?

- She'll get kicked out of the factory! - Yes, yes.

- She can go back to the cows! - You've gone too far.

Isn't it the truth? We want what's best for her.

You want the best for me too, but it's unbearable.

You needn't bear me! You can go. You can even kill me.

Mama, don't get worked up.

Let her eat whipped cream. It's her problem!

Madam, please,

teach me how to make chocolate cake.

You need cocoa or Ovaltine,

margarine, egg powder, milk powder and flour.

Just a little flour. Maybe you could get some.

You've a right to get it from the state.

You're a Communist, after all.

Yes...

I completely forgot.

A lovely dark brown fur coat, made of silky mink.

A mink coat...

A mink coat... nice and soft.

You were awfully nice, you know,

when you first appeared in my dream and said

you'd like to live with me most of all,

and that I make the best soup.

Hey, stop getting creased!

- Soup is important. - For men it is.

It must be hot to warm you up.

Potato soup, bean soup, goulash soup...

Vegetable soup, pea soup, broth...

Egg soup, caraway seed soup...

Onion soup...

Tomato soup with sour cream.

You've got the tummy for it!

I'm not dressed.

So what? I've seen much worse!

Wrinkles, go away!

You're strong. For you it's worth cooking.

Why can't I sleep?

How will I manage tomorrow if I can't sleep?

He can sleep.

He always could, during the war and under Stalin, too.

So could I too, but now it's out. Just when there's no trouble?

Why doesn't that rotten pill work?

I'll take another one.

No, I mustn't.

God, how my heart beats when he goes by. Surely he must hear it.

How long can this last? Maybe you don't like to make love?

Why don't you want to love me?

If I were a boy, I'd know what to do with her.

I would warm her up for sure.

Oh, sorry...

- What's funny? - Your face.

I didn't mean to intrude.

It's hot. I'm taking a shower.

- Yes, it's hot. - Won't you take a shower?

I already took one. You're lovely.

Yes, luckily.

- Do you mind if I watch you? - No, I like it.

Though I can't take any credit for my looks, after all.

I owe them to my parents or to God, don't you think?

- Still, I'm proud of them. - Sleep with me, Kriszta.

Isn't she lovely?

I was exactly like her.

Her breasts, her hips, her thighs. She gets them from me.

Isn't she lovely?

This heat!

Funny my telling you now after so many years.

I love you.

Good. I'll certainly sleep with you.

I'll be your lover or your wife, maybe.

Mother!

Can you hear? He's still writing.

- Do you want to go to Imre? - No.

You were so noisy yesterday. You should be careful.

- Well, I like it noisy. - You're a wild one.

If you've been betrayed, what can you do?

If you've been forsaken by all?

You can see I was left alone.

If you've been deceived, what's there to do?

If everyone deserts me, what can I do?

- This has to stop, old man. - What shall I do?

- I don't care. Just stop. - Shall I get married?

Let this be your wedding gown

if you marry me.

Answer me.

Be my wife, please.

God, which of you is it?

The words are yours, Jancsi,

but the voice is yours, Pista, and the face, too.

I may have lost your face, Jancsi.

- Which of you is asking me? - Will you marry me?

I don't know if I should marry you.

- You said you loved me. - I do. Yes, I certainly said so.

But to survive both of you...

The dreadful moment when you die...

Why should I live through it?

I can't help you.

No, I don't know whether I should marry you.

Let me think. Wait till morning.

- Oh, God, what shall I do? - And the children?

Oh, the children...

What shall I do, Pista?

What? Let me think about it, all right?

Let me think, please.

What's the matter? You look upset.

No, it's nothing.

I just don't know if I should get married.

I see. That's difficult. We all struggle with that.

Do you love him?

I think so... Yes, I do, very much.

Get married, then. Try it.

Try what?

Is there a man with you?

No. I was thinking of my first husband.

- I don't want to bother you. - Come in. I'm glad you've come.

Imagine! He told me he had no desire for me anymore!

Why? Am I undesirable?

Nonsense.

I can't decide whether to get married or not.

- If you're sensible, you won't. - You think so?

Do you love him?

I wish I knew.

Father, I'd like to ask you something.

I'll be back soon, and then we'll talk.

Come on!

Have you seen any Reds?

Are you looking for someone, Colonel?

Red soldiers, perhaps in the cellar or on the roof?

No, Colonel, there is no one here.

- Are you sure, madam? - Yes, Colonel.

- May I check? - Naturally, Colonel.

And again tonight? Tomorrow? The day after?

- Anytime. - Thank you, madam. Ladies.

He can't stay in the cupboard for ever.

There are raids all the time.

Tell your brother he must go at once.

- Where to? - Away from here. Vienna, perhaps.

But how will he earn a living there?

With hat in hand.

You aren't telling me any cheerful news today.

German news, Italian news, Hungarian news, slogans.

Slogans?

Couldn't your papa find me a job?

- What are your plans? - I don't know.

I'll sell this samovar.

No, the one at home. Then I'll go to Russia.

How can anyone live a normal human life here?

With hat in hand, dear boy.

And every problem has its solution.

Listen, dear,

I don't think Maria should marry this young man.

He's an aggressive, loud-mouthed anarchist.

He'll sell family heirlooms and take off for Russia.

Imagine that! And he'd really do it, too!

He's capable of robbing his own parents.

Ungrateful children will be left alone in life.

The family is your only comfort.

Unity in the family.

Your father's whole life was a good example.

That young man never washes his neck. I know...

Poor Maria. She's such an idiot.

Here is this nice young doctor, and she refuses to marry him.

I did my best, but she says he's always late. Oh, well...

Unpunctuality is unreliability. A gentleman is always punctual.

People knew it was 8:00 o'clock when your father left the house.

"The councilor's going to his office."

Punctuality is the politeness of kings.

Madam, I'd like to give notice.

- I'm going away. - Where?

Canada.

Many from my village have gone.

Well, I didn't expect this from you.

Will you marry Alfred? He'd be happy with you.

I'm Hungarian. I can only marry a Hungarian.

Hungary'll get rid of theJews. Just you wait.

Was it bad in the Russian prison camp?

Bad? My toothache is bad.

Please, miss, the dress is ready.

How lovely that bodice is. Wear it on your wedding day.

Are you saying that, too? Oh, my God, life will be so hard...

Hard? It's hard for us.

If I were as lovely as you, I'd walk about naked.

I'll announce our marriage in the papers as a fait accompli.

Oh, God, you'll be killed.

You'll be tortured and killed. I know it in advance.

You'll be tortured and shot dead.

You mustn't say things like that!

Did you hear they're burning books?

The flames of culture will keep the people warm.

Pali Balogh is a nice boy, and clever too.

But he isn't honest. And he's greedy.

How right Papa is! Yes, he is greedy.

He helps himself to twice as much food as he can eat.

Why do you want to marry Deli? Why not me?

You'll freeze to death in Russia. You'll be left to die in the snow.

But I mustn't say things like that.

What do you want? A kiss or a sweet?

Some sweets.

- Promise you won't go to the front. - What front?

To the Russian front. Escape.

- Where to? - I don't know.

Come with me to America, Maria. I've made up my mind.

Will it be better there?

It's awfully hot today.

- How beautiful. - Do you call this house beautiful?

It's dreadful. Can't you see? What a lucky man!

- You'll never feel the way I do. - I like it.

Only an ox plows doggedly ahead, never changing course.

Well, Maria, do you want to marry him?

Marry him? I know he'll die in my arms.

Marry him if you feel like it.

If you're unhappy, come to me. I'll wait for you.

You'll wait, you'll wait.

You're all going to wait.

Dad wants to know if the clock is all right.

The clock? Oh, dear, yes, it's all right.

Get married. Do get married.

What do you know? You'll escape into death.

Marry for those few beautiful moments.

I won't jump from the railing like you.

I won't take cyanide.

What do you know? Nothing!

Nothing.

I have to find them. They can't leave without me.

I must catch up with them. I can't stay here alone!

What shall I take with me?

They took everything.

Why am I standing here? What's happened to me?

That's Kriszta!

I'll call to her.

What should I shout?

I wish I could sit down. I ought to sit down somehow.

What's the matter, sweetie?

What am I supposed to do with you? Recite a poem or sing a song?

I know a song! I've got it:

Lajos Kossuth's soldier am I

Don't you like it? Too bad - it's the only one I know.

How is the postman doing?

- I'll give him a drop of cognac. - He's had enough in his lifetime.

Don't say that.

You of all people had better keep silent.

A drop?

He's having a bad dream.

- We should wake him. - No... he's asleep at last.

If someone has a bad dream, you must wake him.

Wake up!

I'll give you some cognac.

- You've been through a lot. - I waited for you in the snow.

I kept shouting, "I'm alive!"

How hot it is suddenly.

If I had gone back for you, we'd have frozen.

They found us anyhow. We either die here or there.

Who said I was going to die? I'll survive you! You deserted me.

It's stopped snowing! Look! It's stopped!

It's cracking.

I'll take it to Muhari for fixing.

Are you still alive?

Alive forever?

- Happy birthday. - Thank you.

- This'll come in handy in the cold. - Thank you.

Congratulations.

Happy birthday.

Don't let it end yet.

- You frightened me. - I've deserted.

I'll bring you some hot soup.

You're beautiful.

Where do you sunbathe?

On the roof. No one can see me there.

I have no tan lines, see?

Tell me again that I'm lovely. Do you find me beautiful?

- Say it again, please. - If only time stood still.

Kiss me, please.

I hope she doesn't get pregnant.

What advice can I give you? An old doctor like me?

Perhaps just one thing.

My dear children...

let everyone talk about what they want.

I, too, can only say one thing. I got it from my grandfather:

"With hat in hand you'll cross the land."

And I always did my duty.

Wasn't she sweet?

What a darling! Help yourselves.

Sweet, isn't she?

Watch out - it's hot. Much happiness.

Please go ahead and sit.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You should always help the poor.

The cake's delicious. Have some.

Can't you hear? Eat!

- We first came here in winter... - Granny.

To see where to build this house.

Snow covered everything. There were only fences.

It was biting cold.

My husband and I started to run about in the snow.

What was that?

The snow crackled under our feet...

The snow crackled...

The snow crackled under her feet.

Good!

I'll tell you how to use your gas masks to avoid suffocation,

and how to transport the wounded on stretchers.

One: Take the metal container containing the gas mask.

Two: Sling the strap over your left shoulder.

Children should sling it around their necks.

Don't rush. Follow my instructions.

Screw off the top of the box

and take the device out of the box.

The Germans'll be beaten sooner or later.

They won't. You just watch.

They'll devour us. You'll see.

We'll lay down and take it. What else can we do?

We're so small, we can't even be seen.

And just try to open your mouth.

- Who's to blame for this mess? - Certainly not us.

What are you wailing about?

Anything could happen.

We have to sit it out. Then we'll see.

If we keep our heads, we'll have nothing to be afraid of.

Hungary isn't strong enough to act independently.

It's a thousand-year-old curse upon us.

A thousand years!

To hell with them and their ideas.

If you have something to tell me,

I'll be at the shop from 7:00 a.m. Till 7:00 p.m.,

and at home from 7:00 p.m. Till 7:00 a.m.

These people ought to be hanged, every one of them!

Understand? And their teeth knocked out!

Mr. Gask�y, what are you doing?

Didn't I tell you how to do it? Didn't I show you properly?

How are you holding that spade?

All right, all right.

- An officer. - He may come in handy.

That's all we need!

You never know. He may be of use.

- An officer. - Well, we'll see.

How much does your husband pay you for this?

- I've come to say good-bye. - Why?

I'm leaving for Australia.

And I advise you to go away, too. It's all over here.

All the best. That's all.

All the best. Be happy.

Wait! I'll see you off!

- Be happy. - Same to you.

God... that's over too.

I'd like to offer you my condolences.

You know how much I loved your granny.

You've very kind.

She lived in this house for 60 years.

Sixty-five.

Sixty-five?

She was lovely, like Queen Elizabeth.

She was a beauty, so they say.

- She's gone too. - So it goes.

How lucky she was. She died in her sleep.

A beautiful death.

A wonderful death.

She lived 70 years in this house.

- Do you love me? - You must feel it.

I'll go away. I'll leave him.

I'll go away. I won't stay and wait for the end.

Company! For your country!

God bless the Hungarians

With merriness and plenty

Extend Thy protecting hand

When they fight the enemy

Bring to this people long torn by fate

Years bright, peaceful and happy

Sins of future and sins oflate

They have paid for amply

Company, attention!

About face!

March!

One, two...

Stop!

- Sell me your bread. - It's for the German HQ

I'll buy it.

Here, catch!

Little girl!

- Doctor! Your money... - I bought the bread.

I didn't dare refuse the money.

I must be careful. I'm frightened. Thank you.

The British won't tolerate this for long.

Jesus, help us!

Jesus!

Jesus. Help us!

I deserve better treatment. I'll lodge a petition.

My father fought for independence in 1848.

My grandfather was a physician during the plague of 1832,

the only doctor to hold out to the last.

They held a mass in his honor.

What do they want from me? Perhaps in view of my merits...

I must write a petition now!

I told you it could come to this! Now we'll be slaughtered...

God, help us!

Your ring.

Your necklace.

Your brooch.

Don't wear anything they can kill you for.

Just a few things to bargain with.

- Things you can use as bribes. - Are you all crazy?

- I've brought a notice, madam. - My husband isn't at home.

You'll have to leave within the hour, all of you.

It's dated yesterday. Why didn't you deliver it then?

To give you a night's peace.

Scoundrel!

Scoundrel!

May I give you our clothes, Rosie?

- We have to go. - I heard.

They may come in useful. They're clothes, after all.

- Yes, Marika. - Thank you.

It's nothing.

Julika, we have to leave. Keep this.

If we ever come back...

- You're mad, quite mad. - May I come in?

Of course. Bring anything you like.

Count Maday, may I leave a few chairs with you?

Of course.

If we don't come back, dispose of them freely.

You mustn't say that. This is a passing phase.

- A passing phase? - Believe me.

- Can I do anything to help you? - No, but thank you.

Take care of yourself.

A few books. If we don't come back, keep them.

Please...

my husband is very ill, and I'm pregnant.

- Then I won't bother you. - All the same, I'll take them.

Just leave them with me.

That vermin Schrenk and Vilma mustn't know.

They would report us to the police.

I'll go and collect your things at night.

Just go away and don't worry.

And they expect me to go on working.

- I want some cyanide. - Are you mad?

- Horvath gave his wife some. - I don't have any.

- Get some. - No.

- Please! - The chemist's closed.

- They'll give it to you. - No. I won't ask him.

- If I can bear it no longer... - No.

You might take it at the wrong time.

Trust me... if you love me.

And now, a small examination.

Do you have any valuables on you?

Undress.

That's right - undress and line up here.

Come on, make it snappy!

We haven't got all day!

Nothing on this one. Next!

Nothing. Next!

Forgive me, madam.

Nothing on her. Next.

Shame on you!

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,

all of you!

Those who are ready, get going!

Disinfection.

Strip and put your things in the corner.

Wash and disinfect your hair!

But why?

I'm a professional call girl!

They can't treat me like this!

Let me out!

Don't worry. They'll let you out.

Sardines. A can of sardines.

Thrown in from the street.

Where's my violin?

Where did you put my violin?

I can't find my violin.

Police raid! Open up!

It's a raid! Wake up, for heaven's sake!

Any deserters, escapees or suspicious persons here?

This too will pass.

We won't even dream about it.

If only my legs wouldn't ache.

- What's that? - My draft notice. I leave at dawn.

Don't go! We'll hide you!

- If I'm caught, I'm a dead man. - And in Russia?

I'm scared. I want to stay alive.

You must stay alive.

Maybe he's right. With all these raids...

Why do you interfere? He's not your brother.!

I'm sorry.

Oh, my darling.

He can't hide here.

- You invited him to. - When? When my face was in the mud?

It was different then. Can't you understand that?

You can't be trusted with anything.

Oh, you, you -

You won't put yourself out for anybody.

We knew. The whole family knew.

You ruined my business with the Hotel Bristol

by offering them the rolls for half a penny less.

We knew!

Bandi! Sweetheart! Bandi, my sweet!

She got quite hysterical.

The police didn't find Bandi. They threatened to take her instead.

She has nowhere to go, poor thing.

One more and they can play rummy.

Rummy? How do you know?

I'm sorry. Let me stay, just for one night.

Magda's here. She'd like to wash.

Your mother?

I left her at home. The child comes first now.

- Yes. Have you eaten yet? - No, I can't eat.

- You must. - Only for the night.

They can't stay in the apartment. The attic is no good either.

The child may cry or get ill.

No doctor would come to an attic at night.

I'd like to sleep, to sleep a little.

Your brother-in-law's draft notice.

Aren't you expecting mail from America or Australia?

- Or money at least? - No, I don't know.

Pity.

My brother-in-law has already left. He couldn't take this heat.

Don't go away again. You've been away so often.

They'll come after me.

Go to the attic. There's room for you too.

- I must go. - You're a coward.

You're all cowards.

You don't dare go into hiding.

Dreadful...

I couldn't bear staying alone at home.

If you don't mind, I'll rest here a few days.

No. I'm awfully sorry, but you can't stay.

We're being watched closely.

Only tenants can stay here.

Go home. Do that for me, please, Mrs. V�rhelyi.

Thank you.

One more person and I'll never go to sleep.

You're crazy.

Come on.

Don't be afraid of me. I won't tell anyone.

Don't be afraid of me.

Search the bakery, boys!

This isn't our shop. Some fresh bread?

Not yet. Later. Who are you?

Hands up! Against the wall, all of you!

We'll awake to find it's all over.

God, the way he's standing there...

No one will believe it ever happened.

My legs... I've never had any trouble with my legs.

Come on.

I'll switch on the light.

We'll be in the dark long enough.

Dad, too, used to say we'd be in the dark long enough.

I'm looking for suits. The boys must change.

Not you too, my dear!

They need civilian clothes.

You're still babies, children. Don't do that.

You think it'll be easy, but later... Anna!

I'll light the Christmas tree just for myself.

One day I, too, will be collecting signatures

to vouch that I sheltered people in the war.

Under penalty of perjury I hereby declare

I would not have survived the war if it weren't for Mrs. Gask�y.

I hereby declare that Mrs. Gask�y helped me to survive,

Under penalty of perjury I hereby declare

that Mrs. Gask�y gave me shelter during the persecution.

- Were you a partisan? - Me?

Oh, no, I wasn't a partisan.

I just hid a few people.

That soldier keeps looking at the attic.

He's looking at the sky.

- We'll be shot. - Are you mad?

Shut up. Be off with you.

You're such a fine gentleman.

Just for you... because you're so handsome.

Jesus, too, said, "In my Father's house there are many mansions."

I'm tired.

I didn't expect everything to collapse later:

My arteries, my nerves.

I want peace, only peace.

When nothing happens, neither good nor bad.

Give me a simple day, a day without a headache,

a night without dreams. Just that, O Lord.

- Mrs. Balo! - Here I am.

- Dr. Balo's wife? - Yes, that's me.

Get your things. You're going home.

I'll leave everything to you. Everything.

You're crazy, Maria.

The child has no winter coat.

Excuse me.

God must exist.

Yes, the German's will lose the war, but will we live to see it?

My parents!

- Where are you going? - To see my parents.

I haven't seen my own mother in two years.

How peaceful he looks.

The young always make beautiful corpses.

The Russians are close.

These alarmists should be hanged.

"We who are about to die salute you."

- You ought to learn Latin. - Yes, Dad. I'll tellJ�nos.

He knows Latin. But those who stay alive.

Father.

Stop! Stop, you pig!

- Where to? - To see my parents.

Come, my dear.

Mother.

- Your husband's been taken ill. - What happened?

It's my heart, darling, unexpectedly. Just now when we're over the worst.

- Where's that rotten injection? - I've sent for it.

Damn this rotten life! Damn!

Damn this rotten life!

- Heart failure? - Yes.

- I'm sorry. I lost my head. - We're all human.

Ladies, please leave.

- Come out, you scum! - You filthy pig!

Where is the old man? He went for the injection an hour ago.

Open the window, please. What's the time?

I'd like to know the exact time.

This is the moment I've been remembering in advance. I knew.

Why can't I help him, now? He'll die. Where is the doctor?

He's dead.!

I don't know who you are, where you are,

but treat him well, understand?

The doctor was such a gentle soul.

You'll marry again, and he'll stay forever young to you.

Yes, marry again... when I know exactly how it'll end!

No, I don't want to live through it. I can't. No!

DON'T TRUST ANYONE. EXAMINE THEM YOURSELF.

I must detach myself.

I mustn't cry or it will dull the pain. I remember...

This heat is terrible.

I'm drenched in sweat.

How many should there be? Well, B�zsi dear?

Seven, Daddy.

Come now. Won't you ever learn?

As many cogwheels as there are figures on the face.

Leave me alone, Dad.

Why are you crying again?

Why should she learn that? You know what's going on.

Who knows for sure yet? Don't interfere.

Pay attention. I'll explain once more.

And you? Why are you standing up? Soon it'll be your turn.

You're girls, all right. Still, you need a trade.

If this spring breaks, that means real trouble.

The whole mechanism must be taken apart.

We'll hardly need that, Dad. Believe me.

You never can tell, dear. This is a good trade.

Anything can happen anytime.

I don't think so, Daddy.

Let me go. I have to go.

Wait, you're so good with your hands!

What worries me is that you're lonely, Dad, with no one to cook for you.

To cheer you up, I'm sending you a picture of us.

Pista's in the middle, and that's me.

Do you still recognize me?

My daughter will surely remind you of me.

She resembles poor B�zsi.

Eta, listen to me.

You are so clever.

Now tell me, what's wrong here?

I hold it down with the tweezers, see?

Will it be all right like that?

The rich decoration displayed in my shop window is not for sale.

I have no right to sell it.

It merely serves the purpose of drawing attention to my shop.

Be kind to me, Juli. I'll never make love again.

You mustn't say that, �csi.

- I'll be shot. I'll freeze to death. - Don't say that.

It would be so good to come home, even to be a street musician.

- Would you recognize me? - Poor �csi.

How soft you are, and how warm.

How strong you are, and how young.

Can't you just forget my age?

No!

The war is over.

Our troubles are over.

- S�ndor! - Is everything okay?

Let's go to the movies. Are the theaters open?

I don't know.

- Let's go, then. - I'll tell Edda.

Are you all right?

I just feel 200 years old.

Madam, I need your signature. It's very important.

I knew all about that attic of yours, but I kept silent.

You could always count on me. You should attest to that.

My husband... only you can testify.

Madam, you must testify.

You remember, madam, I didn't let the Nazis raid the attic.

Sign here, please.

Thank you.

Good day. I'm Dr. M�t�. Surely you remember me.

May I ask you a favor?

Thank you very much.

Maria, please sign this. The carpenter's reporting the grocer.

You can safely sign it. The way he behaved towards you...

and the things he stole from deserted apartments!

Count, if you don't mind,

the things I left with you - may I have them back, please?

Yes, of course. Whenever you wish.

We used them, but there's no harm done.

Thank you.

- Have you seen Mrs. Szedo? - No.

Disappeared at the front.

Died. He's on the list.

Reported missing. Died.

Rosie, dear, the clothes I left with you...

I put them in mothballs.

I wore just one of them. I was so cold. Weren't you?

May I have back the few books I left with you?

Of course. The concierge sold a wardrobe of yours too.

- How much do I owe you? - We'll settle up later.

We're lousy bastards, all of us.

Maria.

- Come with me to America. - What would I do in America?

You must get married.

- A girl has to get married. - I don't know. To whom?

Pali Balogh loves you so much. That gives such security.

- He begged me to tell you. - But he died at the front in 1943.

I'm sorry. And B�la?

- He was killed. - And Deli?

- He went to Australia. - Without telling me!

When did you go to Australia?

In 1940. I didn't know your address.

Well, now you can marry Maria.

I doubt it would last a year and a half.

See? It's not that easy, Lotti. I know how things will end.

What shall I do?

Come on, tell me.

Let's go.

- Where are you going? - America. I'm going away.

- And your father? - I don't know. It's over for me here.

Everybody is going to America.

"Dear Maria, Sao Paolo, June 17. It's no use.

It doesn't matter where you go. I'm 13,000 feet above sea level,

a half hour's ride from a village, in a lovely place -

and even so, I can't sleep."

You too? And I was such a happy girl.

Always laughing. You overdid it a bit.

You didn't sleep with me. Shame on you.

But you slept with B�la.

- Really? - Yes.

And then you came to see us? Smiling sweetly?

- Well, I had to. - Was it good?

Will you marry him?

Marry him. He's a clever boy. Always has been.

Impossible.

B�la, why don't you marry her?

I told you he was killed in Russia. How can you be so cruel?

How should I have known? I didn't know.

Sorry.

I'm going away.

A girl from the office hid me. I can't walk out on her now.

No, you can't.

You were always crazy when it came to women.

- Do you love her? - Don't you see? I have no choice.

I must marry her. I can't be an ungrateful brute.

So you'll be unhappy?

I'm alive!

Hand over the keys and the account books.

In the name of the people, we hereby nationalize this bakery.

"Dear Irma, Edda and children..."

- Young lady... - We no longer use that bourgeois term.

No one will exploit their fellow man any longer.

Let's get started.

Don't be afraid to open the door, comrades, if it's too hot.

We'll catch cold in this breeze.

Tell Edda I'm leaving.

You want me to tell her?

I need something to start me off.

Silver or your sapphire ring.

- Where are you going? - Vienna, to start with.

With whom?

Why talk about that? I'm going away.

Why are you telling me?

Me of all people?

I asked you for something.

Yes, I'll get it. The silver and the ring.

�csi, darling �csi.

Imagine, I dreamt I was alive.

My dear �csi!

- Are you all right? - Yes, I'm fine.

It's just my legs, my veins and my head...

My blood pressure gets high sometimes.

- Ira! - Bandi!

Hello there.

- Yellow roses. - Where are they from?

From Sydney. For my sisters.

For my dear sisters.

- Gyozo. - Hello.

Who is this girl?

Let me have a look at you.

And you? You're lovely.

I've brought something for you all. This is for you.

This is for you.

This is for you.

Irma, Granny, Father,

Uncle Ede, Mother, Kata,

J�nos, Tom, �csi.

- That's his too. - What's this?

Salt. I saw it at the grocer's, so I figured I'd buy it.

Always good to have plenty of salt on hand.

We learned that the hard way, didn't we, girls?

I smell bread.

Can you smell it?

- I can. Where is it coming from? - Freshly baked bread.

The lovely smell of bread Fresh and warm from the oven

- They'll hear you! - Who are you?

Not so loud, please.

Madam, surely you remember me.

I was the one who took the bakery over for the state.

Take me to your attic. I know there's room there.

I know there's room there.

Please.

Thank you for putting out the light.

I realized it doesn't matter whom you choose.

The boys we liked were destined to perish.

Only one or two survived by chance.

So only those few moments count, the moments of love.

A beautiful thought. Write a poem about it.

Oh, how I'd love to go to bed with someone.

I, too, could have become a whore. Why not?

But poor Dad was so moral,

and life with him was so marvelous.

I hereby open the tenants' meeting.

As the first item on the agenda,

I propose we elect Comrade Gask�y chairman of the meeting.

An overwhelming victory.

Why are you applauding?

What do you in America know about what's going on here?

You know nothing!

DearJesus, please bring me a scooter for Christmas.

Or just the ball bearings, 'cause I've got the board already.

And please fix Mother's pension.

You love little children, and that should be easy for you.

Thank you, Comrade Stalin.

Excuse me. Maybe you've heard that we must leave.

Would you keep a few odd things for us?

If, by any chance, we come back...

Of course, Count.

If we don't come back...

- You mustn't say that. - Thank you.

- Is there anything I can do for you? - No, thank you.

Take care.

You too.

Maria, let's get married.

Let me think it over.

Marry him. You must marry him.

Do you think so?

Why do you interfere? You know nothing.

But I know what'll happen.

The man I love will die, and I'll be left alone.

So what's the good of it?

- I only want the best for you. - Well, don't.

I don't need gift parcels or second-hand clothes.

All I need is peace.

No responsibilities, no decisions to make.

I can't help it. I was brought up like that.

And don't send me any more sardines!

They're waiting for you.

Sit down, please. It's your own wedding, after all.

I told you... you poor fool.

You're so pretty.

- I'm old. - I like you that way.

Why do you say such things?

I informed the Pensions Office that you were my wife.

Where did I put the letter?

A drop of cognac will pick you up.

I want to be nothing, understand? Nothing. Simply nothing.

It's Mama... In this dreadful heat, Mama's died.

I'm sorry. I can't cry.

I have no tears. I can't feel anything.

No pain at all. I'm burnt out.

Perhaps in a few months I'll be able to cry again.

Mama was very old.

I'm sorry. I can't cry.

Look at this junk.

It ought to be burnt.

Pity them? They've always had everything.

You think they've suffered?

Look at these tables, these beds.! All bourgeois stuff!

Go at them, smash them.! They whine for help at the sight of a fist.

Have they lost anything?

They multiply... and look at their trash.

What are you doing, Grandfather?

He's in pain.

He'd kill you!

He's in pain.

Grandfather!

Anything for sale? Clothes, shoes? Coming!

I've called for the ragman.

Did you call for me? Well, what's for sale?

This is worn out.

- What do you want for this? - I don't know.

Come on, tell me. I'll buy it anyway.

A swing.

Worn and torn.

- An umbrella. - With a carved handle.

Spectacles, spectacles...

A bit worn and broken.

A bag. That's what I need.

It's coming unsewn.

What else?

Ah, shoes.

Small snow boots.

That's what I need.

That's what I need.

What else? A leather coat.

A scarf.

Nice material, this jacket.

I'll help you off with it.

I need that too. I'll help you off with it.

What else?

You don't care about the picture, but the frame is silver.

What else is for sale?

The things I dreamt.!

Maybe it won't be so hot today.

I hope not.

Good morning.

- How come you're so late? - I'm on the night shift.

- When will you be home? - Late.

- How is your husband? - Still alive, poor thing.

I slept very badly. Who knows why?

- It was very stuffy. - Bye.

Vilma, are you doing my ironing today?

This afternoon.

Hello.

I won't turn back. I won't look back.

Mother dear, we must bid farewell to this house.

I won't look back. I won't turn back.

THE END