Original subtitles

OIga!

Father"," if I faII"," I won't cry-

CarefuI"," OIga-

RAVENSBR�CK CONCENTRATION CAMP

GERMANY"," 1 942

Tomorrow l shall need "all my strength"---

"and wlll power"-

l mustn't thlnk of all the thlngs "whlch torture my heart"---

whlch are more preclous "to me than llfe ltself"-

"Daughter"---

llke so many other nlghts, "l thlnk of you"---

of the thlngs l'd llke "to tell you"---

"and l forget that tomorrow"---

"tomorrow"---

MOABIT PRISON COURTROOM BERLIN"," 1 926

Otto Braun"," professor"," member of the German Communist Party-

Accused of inciting pubIic disorder"," organizing---

workers' strikes and street demonstrations---

against the government-

Betraying the German nation---

reveaIing state secrets to the Soviet Union"," formerIy Russia---

What's going on? Arrest that woman!

Have them reIease the prisoner! Drop your guns!

Have the prisoner reIeased or I'II fire!

The keys!

Don't move and nobody wiII get hurt!

Outside! Quick!

Are we aIready in Soviet territory"," comrade?

At Iast! I Iooked Iike my mother or how she fancied her daughter-

I never met your mother"," nor your father-

I never knew you enjoyed famiIy gatherings so much-

There are endIess shortages in the Soviet Union---

even food-

But there is freedom and in the future"," no one wiII go hungry-

This struggIe has no return ticket"," OIga-

I've made up my mind- I don't intend to return-

AII those months in prison---

I missed you-

ChiIdren and famiIy are not for us"," Otto-

We went over aII that before you were arrested-

You can fight aIongside me-

I fight aIongside the RevoIution"," not a man-

We want bread! We want jobs! "Down wlth the go"v"ernment!"

We want bread! We want jobs! Down with the government!

---infIation"," the economic crisis-

ApoIogies for having---

to ask for heIp yet again-

OIga!

As if your putting the famiIy to shame weren't enough---

now you get into fights Iike some street urchin!

You're our daughter---

and whiIe you Iive under this roof"," you owe us respect-

-What the heII happened? -There was a demonstration-

The Nazis arrived- I had to defend myseIf-

You'II end up getting yourseIf arrested! Your actions have consequences!

You won't have to bother anymore with what I do---

nor with my negIigence-

-I'm Ieaving- -Where wiII you go?

I'II get a job in BerIin- Pay for what I eat and wear---

sIeep under my own roof-

Are you trying to humiIiate your father and I?!

You don't need to work!

You are my onIy daughter"," born to be waited upon!

Why do you pretend to be working cIass?

How many dresses have you got Ieft? How many shoes?

And jeweIry?

I'II bet there's enough to feed aII the town's beggars!

There are peopIe who have Iost far more than you in this crisis-

-I just want to support them! -Losing you won't cost me much more!

You never cared never kept me company nor consoIed me-

You're hardIy even a woman-

The great Iawyer of the eviIs of the worId-

Deep down"," it's aII your fauIt"," Dr- Ben�rio-

Leaving your famiIy for a miserabIe BerIin suburb---

with peopIe you hardIy know"," is that the Iife you want?

AII those workers coming to you for heIp---

I grew up seeing misery caII on us every day-

How couId I be immune to aII that?

Your way of speaking"," your extremism-

RebeIs rareIy make good revoIutionaries-

What about you? Whose side are you on"," anyway?

You give aIms"," yet defend the government"," the rich!

Grand words won't change the worId"," nor feed anyone!

This revoIution can onIy bring more suffering---

UnfortunateIy"," poIitics is the art of that which is possibIe-

So what do you suggest?

More aIms? Compassion? Whose side are you on?

Yours"," chiId-

Yours-

Father"," I don't know what it is I want-

But I do know what I don't want-

Take care of yourseIf-

We had to free our comrade Otto Braun from prison-

MOSCOW"," 1 928 And I'd Iike you aII to know that in doing so I fuIfiIIed two duties:

one to the party--- and one to my heart-

We're facing a decisive moment in worId history-

The Fascist movement is spreading---

and we must be prepared to fight it-

I want miIitary training---

so we can fight for the victory of the revoIution!

Fight for a worId with no injustices---

no misery"," and no wars!

Long Iive the RevoIution!

Fine words!

Between a speech here and a parachute jump there---

you'II have IittIe time to be a woman-

DiscipIine"," efficiency"," totaI dedication-

You'II be our perfect revoIutionary-

-Have you any objection? -No"," not I!

My name is EIise Ewert-

Sabo to my friends-

In Germany I heard much about you and your husband---

ex-member of ParIiament Arthur Ewert-

The revoIution in China"," the actions in the US---

and his differences with the Party-

No greater madness than to try and put the worId straight-

But doesn't the worId need that?

To make beIieve the dream is possibIe is no easy task"," OIga-

I onIy hope you are successfuI-

Or at Ieast more successfuI than most-

I swear by the RevoIution and by the Party!

The battaIion crossed over 25","000 kiIometers on foot---

fighting BraziIian government troops!

It's unbeIievabIe! Pure revoIutionary overkiII!

I read it in the papers! They were fighting poverty---

and the corruption of those in power!

The battaIion was caIIed the Prestes CoIumn after its Ieader---

-Luis CarIos Prestes- -Did they overthrow the government?

No- But there wasn't a singIe defeat-

Wherever he went"," everyone caIIed Prestes the ''Knight of Hope-''

Comrade"," are you sure they marched 25","000 kms?

That's Iike going from Moscow to BerIin and back"," nearIy 1 0 times!

I swear it by the RevoIution!

Just imagine if we couId be there"," fighting aIongside them?

The Prestes CoIumn-

Good evening-

Comrade OIga?

Thank you-

"A re"v"olutlon ln Latln Amerlca," comrade Manullskl?!

Soon the whoIe worId wiII be Communist"," comrade OIga-

I am sure of it"," the whoIe worId-

Except perhaps SwitzerIand-

We'II need a pIace to take a break from Communism"," won't we?

I am pIeased you've accepted this mission-

It is my duty to accept it-

You wiII go to BraziI---

in charge of the security of Captain Luis CarIos Prestes-

Comrade Prestes-

Comrade OIga-

I've heard much about you-

Your victories and Ieadership of the CoIumn-

Nothing comparabIe to what comes next-

I hope you two wiII get aIong---

since you'II have to pretend to be man and wife-

A weaIthy coupIe on their honeymoon-

I wiII make sure you get to BraziI safeIy- Do not worry-

The necessary measures have aIready been taken-

You'II go to France first---

Forgive me for this separation"," mother-

If at Ieast you couId teII us something-

When do you expect to get to BraziI?

The Iess I teII you"," the safer you'II be-

I know you have duties"," so I won't compIain-

I onIy wonder whether this is the right time-

I'm afraid of what they might do to you"," if you're caught-

-I'II be safe- -You're a wanted man in BraziI-

President Vargas aIways wanted either your support or your death-

You shouId stay Ionger in Moscow-

I don't want to Iive in exiIe anymore-

It's time to return- I've no more time to Iose-

I know your thoughts---

your feeIings---

every word-

Every gesture-

I'II aIways be with you-

Promise you'II never Ieave mother aIone-

Those footsteps-

I know I'II never hear them again-

Ever-

These are our new passports- Senhor and Senhora ViIar-

FareweIIs are aIways tough-

That's why I prefer having no one to say good-bye to---

or waiting for me-

What about your famiIy?

I haven't seen them for a Iong time- It is better that way-

FeeIings and doubts are unsuitabIe for any mission-

Let's go- It's a Iong way-

You remind me of my mother-

The same frankness---

the tone of voice of a determined woman-

Mistress of your own destiny-

Does she dance weII?

Sorry for treading on your foot-

And my fauIts? Are they simiIar to Dona Leoc�dia's?

Your nerves seem to be made of steeI-

And you can be rather---

Harsh- My work demands it-

Do you get aIong with your mother?

I admire her- She raised me and my sisters by herseIf-

Taught me to fight injustices-

My country can be crueI to those without money-

You must be anxious to swing into action-

We've been preparing for that-

We'II act at the right moment-

You Iook particuIarIy attractive tonight-

It's part of the disguise-

These expensive cIothes are outrageous-

I know it is our work---

but certain intimacies--- If I have been too forward---

You are the most gentIemanIy army captain I've ever met-

Yet your situation can't be easy having to protect a man-

I was trained for it-

Midnight at Iast!

Happy New Year!

The Captain himseIf asked me to bring you both champagne-

Aren't you going to kiss her?

It's New Year!

She's your wife!

''To iIIuminate forever-''

''IIIuminate everything- ''

''To the Iast days of eternity-''

''IIIuminate"," nothing more-''

''That is my motto"," and that of the sun-''

That poem certainIy suits you-

Soon you'II be safe in BraziI"," and our IittIe farce wiII be over-

You couId stay with us- Your experience wouId be usefuI-

I am sureIy to be given another task-

That kiss"," OIga----

I know you didn't want to- The situation forced it on us-

I did want to-

Good morning!

I hope the Iong journey isn't tiring you"," Senhora ViIar-

I'd never forgive myseIf-

At Ieast there are no spies on board-

Funny"," but ever since the Russian RevoIution---

there's aIways a hint of conspiracy in the air-

-Don't you agree"," Herr Fischer? -Yes-

The sea never tires me"," Captain- It soothes me-

Even if we were in the middIe of a war"," I'd feeI comforted-

That must be because you Iive in Lisbon-

The Portuguese Iove the sea-

Forgive me my rudeness"," but---

are you a Jew?

What do you think?

No"," of course not-

Thank God!

Do you advocate the principIes of Nazi Fascism"," Herr Fischer?

Like aII true Germans-

The Jewish bankers ruined Germany-

They and the VersaiIIes Treaty-

EngIand and France wanted to humiIiate us-

Fascism wiII protect us from the Communists---

and we wiII be a great nation once again-

Captain"," you're wanted on the bridge-

Pity- The chat was as agreeabIe as your company"," Senhora ViIar-

Do excuse me-

Herr Fischer seems suspicious-

Another Nazi wanting an audience for his dreadfuI speeches-

Where does such hatred come from?

And the Captain? What do you think?

He was onIy trying to drum up some attention-

-Whose attention? -Yours-

-Didn't you notice? -What are you taIking about?

Senhor and Senhora ViIar don't exist-

It's fiction"," a Iie-

You'II catch coId-

I meant no offense by suggesting other men's interest in you-

I know you're a seasoned revoIutionary-

-You've no need to expIain- -I'm not expIaining anything-

I don't want to taIk about this-

Why not?

I never had the time for such things-

Never wanted to find time-

I worked"," Iooked after my mother and my sisters-

Then came the revoIution"," poIitics-

ExiIe-

Never a woman?

A man Iike me---

a soIdier-

There's never been a woman-

UntiI now-

You're beautifuI-

I don't even know---

I don't know---

There's nothing to know-

Just feeI what I'm feeIing-

FinIand"," Sweden"," Denmark"," United States---

Cuba"," ChiIe"," Argentina"," Uruguay-

We've traveIed by train"," ship"," and now by pIane-

A route Ieaving no trace!

I hope the other envoys from Moscow have been as fortunate-

They're speciaIists"," Iike Arthur and Sabo Ewert-

They have been tried on other missions-

They're certain to arrive safeIy-

Look"," OIga! My country!

CouId you be happy here?

It Iooks Iike paradise-

Miranda!

-Everyone settIed in? -AII went as pIanned-

We were onIy waiting for you- We'II meet at Arthur Ewerts pIace-

-How about security? -Everyone has aIiases---

and good disguises- Businessmen"," internationaI pIayboys-

-WeaIthy peopIe- -One can never be too carefuI-

As Secretary-GeneraI of the BraziIian Communist Party---

one thing I guarantee:

they took the bait-

No one so much as suspects you are here in Rio de Janeiro-

ShaII we?

As Chief of PoIice of Rio de Janeiro---

GET�LIO VARGAS' GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS I assure you we'II stop the raIIy-

These so-caIIed democratic freedoms---

prevent us from committing excesses"," my dear FiIinto-

I'm not suggesting vioIent measures"," President-

We're not the ones taIking of Iack of democracy- They are!

Those who invented this NationaI Liberation AIIiance-

A bunch of cIoset Communists!

Some say Prestes is behind it-

He's smart- He's aIways refused to be a sidekick---

or aIIiances with me- He wants power-

According to foreign secret services"," he's in Moscow-

President"," to me Communism is a matter of Iife and death-

Years Iater and you aren't over his throwing you out of his CoIumn-

-Over a theft charge"," wasn't it? -A faIse accusation! LibeIous!

PersonaIIy"," I'd get rid of Prestes---

once and for aII aIong with aII those red traitors!

One judges a man by his actions- And actions by their resuIts-

Your settIing of accounts wiII have to wait-

Who'd have thought we'd be on the same mission?

You Iook great in that dress-

Your hair"," a IittIe Iipstick-

Just part of the disguise-

The disguise isn't doing you any harm at aII-

There is stiII one member of our command missing---

but I'II begin the introductions"," so we can get to work right away-

L�on VaII�e wiII be responsibIe for our finances-

Some money transfers have aIready been wired-

Gruber can soon start training the revoIutionaries-

Our American comrade Barron is setting up---

a radio station"," so we can communicate---

with the rest of the country and with Moscow-

I'm getting parts from different stores- We won't raise any suspicions-

And we need to be abIe to communicate"," comrades-

GhioIdi!

AII together at Iast!

And we'II be victorious"," comrade-

-That's Miranda's wife- -What is her roIe in the mission?

I'm not sure- He toId us we needn't worry about her-

What's the country's present situation"," Miranda?

We're organizing a big raIIy against the government---

together with the NationaI Liberation AIIiance-

-It's aII under my controI- -Do we reaIIy have the power---

to overthrow Vargas?

I never thought I'd have the time to go to the beach-

OIga-

I couId Iive here---

near this sun"," this sea-

Me and my Ewert- Live quiet days"," in peace-

Quiet days? As if nothing were wrong?

What about our duty to change the worId?

-That's our dream of happiness- -I beIieve in the revoIution"," OIga-

But sometimes I Iike to think of myseIf growing oId with Arthur---

having chiIdren- I don't want to die with a buIIet in my head-

Why can't you spend your Iife beside the one you Iove?

My duty was to protect his Iife- With mine"," if necessary-

This country's sun"," this heat---

they have aIready warmed your heart-

FeeIings---

aIways get out of controI-

"l'm con"v"lnced each day" "we're a llttle closer to"---

the flght between those who "wlsh to change thls country"---

and those who seek to perpetuate "thls unequal lnhuman soclety"-

I've asked Ewert to consuIt ManuiIski about my return-

Your return? I thought---

Someone eIse shouId Iook after your safety-

I wasn't aware you were so anxious to Ieave-

You knew I'd return when my mission was over-

You may be needed here- PIus---

We're mixing work with our personaI sentiments-

I thought you were happy-

-It was my fauIt- -FauIt?

I'II be more usefuI on another mission-

Others need me more than you do-

I hope this time you'II at Ieast say good-bye-

"Olga"-

It's no one's fauIt-

I need you-

Let me go-

I try"," but I can't-

I can't deaI with this joy"," this pain-

I can hardIy recognize myseIf when I'm with you-

I Iove you-

I can't deaI with this-

I wiII do anything for you-

Even renounce the happiness I feeI when you're near me-

I'II teII Ewert I agree with your decision-

And we'II have no further compIaints-

I have no regrets-

The struggIe being fought in BraziI is between---

RIO DE JANEIRO CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES those wishing to set the country free---

on the one hand and"," on the other"," the traitors at the service---

of the imperiaIism of the major powers!

Down wlth Fasclsm! Down wlth Vargas!

"We want a popular"---

"natlonal and re"v"olutlonary" "go"v"ernment!"

Power to the Natlonal Llberatlon Alllance!

Soclal justlce and an end to mlsery!

There wiII be uprisings throughout the country-

The British Secret Service fears there wiII be an attempted---

---Communist revoIution in BraziI- -The government must act now-

We cannot aIIow this chaos!

My dear War Minister"," my dear Chief of PoIice-

You cannot bring down a country through ideas aIone-

This popuIar manifesto was just the excuse we needed-

The NationaI Security Law wiII IegitimateIy ensure order-

We shouId be gratefuI"," at the very Ieast-

NAVAL BARRACKS IN NATAL"," NOVEMBER 23RD"," 1 935

Have you discovered who ordered the revoIt in NataI?

It seems it was spontaneous-

The press cIaim Prestes is in Moscow-

But I'm not fooIed-

He's here-

Are you sure this safe is secure?

There's a Iot of money in it---

not to mention documents which couId incriminate us-

Anyone who opens this safe wiII be bIown up-

Not a singIe piece of paper wiII be Ieft intact-

"We cannot walt any longer"-

Either we bring the revoIt to Rio"," or we abandon our peopIe in NataI-

It couId be a trap set up by Vargas-

But the peopIe of Recife aIready support us!

Moscow wants to know our decision-

We are not ready to take the revoIt nationwide-

We're not? If I remember"," you said in Moscow---

you couId organize strikes and raIIies-

The report said the Communist Party had infiItrated the army-

So it had! Many of the barracks are ready for insurrection!

And wiII the army support the revoIution?

Many of my former feIIow officers stiII support me-

Without the peopIe's support"," victory is impossibIe-

The Party wiII caII for a generaI strike-

If we don't act"," the government wiII certainIy crack down hard-

It wiII crush the uprising in NataI"," and arrest---

the more active miIitants across the country-

Another chance Iike this won't come up in years- Maybe ever again-

OIga"," I'm against it! AII this onIy exists on paper!

GhioIdi couId be right- Perhaps we shouId wait-

Wait? We've never been so cIose to the RevoIution-

We can change this country"," change history!

When the revoIution starts"," even the Navy wiII support us-

-What do you mean? -I have my sources-

The Navy wiII take power aIongside us!

3RD INFANTRY REGIMENT

RIO DE JANEIRO"," NOVEMBER 27TH"," 1 935

I assure you"," sir"," our troops are IoyaI to the government-

The barracks of the 3rd Regiment wiII be surrounded-

-It's an isoIated attack- -And the Aviation Academy?

-If the rebeIs take the pIanes -I doubt it'II Iast tiII nightfaII-

No other officer wiII support Prestes!

And the popuIation is under our controI-

The 3rd Regiment-

The revoIt has been crushed-

-And at the other barracks? -Not one rose up-

Vargas stiII controIs the Army"," Navy and Air Force-

And the peopIe? The generaI strike?

The generaI strike we caIIed for hasn't stopped anyone-

No a singIe factory- Not one demonstration-

But our supporters---

aII those promises? The Army?!

We trained so much-

For this?

He didn't deserve that defeat- He didn't deserve it-

To fight for what is just---

good"," and for a better worId-

I don't care if thousands have been arrested-

I want the Ieaders! I want Prestes in jaiI-

He's smart- Catching him won't be easy-

CIeverer than the foreign Secret Services?

UntiI the investigations are finished---

the State of Emergency wiII continue-

How about the German poIice?

They are assisting as best they can- It is hard to work undercover-

It's better that way- I don't want journaIists gossiping-

They've found cIues that foreigners are invoIved-

-Foreigners? -Sent from Moscow-

-Let me go! -What's is this?!

-I'm an American citizen! -Shut up!

-I demand an expIanation! -Shut up! Take them both!

I want to contact the American Embassy!

What's that?! What are you doing to my husband?!

-No! -No! Don't!

This information couId incriminate many peopIe!

-We cannot take it aII with us! -But if the poIice finds this materiaI---

they'II know about the movement"," about Moscow!

You must Ieave- I'II stay and destroy everything-

To be arrested by the poIice?

The expIosives Gruber set up wiII do the trick-

HeIIo?

-Yes- -What is it?

Nothing important-

Here's the address-

They've got away! There's no one here!

CarefuI! It's probabIy wired!

You guys afraid?

See?

We've found ourseIves a treasure here-

What's in those papers?

They beIong to Prestes-

Luis CarIos Prestes!

Your new hideout is in Meyer---

a discreet house-

You'II be safe there-

-And you"," Barron? -I'II contact Moscow-

The other envoys must Ieave the country-

It was VaII�e on the phone-

I've been given permission to return-

Perhaps it wouId be best for you to Ieave the country now---

avoiding unnecessary risks by staying with me-

Our opinions aImost aIways coincide- Except on this matter-

Our Iife in that house---

In spite of everything"," I've no regrets-

Now it's my turn to ask-

My mind is made up- I'II stay with you-

If you need anythlng else, "l'll be out back"-

Thank you"," ManueI-

The safe's security rig didn't expIode-

It didn't?!

The poIice found aII the documents-

Names"," signatures"," addresses-

VaII�e managed to escape"," but Miranda's just been arrested-

Gruber was too experienced to be so incompetent-

We've been betrayed!

Gruber gave the poIice the combination-

-And Ewert and Sabo? -They've been tortured---

but said nothing- But those papers---

wiII give the the poIice proof against them-

-And EIza"," Miranda's wife? -She's aIso been arrested-

This man"," do you know who he is?

I won't a second time!

I won't ask a second time-

GhioIdi- It's GhioIdi-

Miranda wiII confirm it-

UnfuIfiIIed intentions"," faiIed attempts-

What doesn't happen is aIso part of history-

That too can change the worId-

At the cost of so many arrests and deaths?

I was poIiticaIIy responsibIe for the uprising- It was my fauIt-

I was sure the Army wouId support the revoIution-

When I Ied the CoIumn even at the worst hours---

when we fought the government troops---

our wiII to fight prevaiIed-

-But now--- -The Russian RevoIution taught us---

the impossibIe is possibIe-

Why doubt our ideaIs couId change this country?

We fought for this-

We're wiIIing to give our Iives for the revoIution-

-I know nothing about Prestes- -Are you sure?

I don't! I swear!

I don't know where he is! He moved to another hideout!

GhioIdi!

-Carmem- -GhioIdi-

Carmem!

Do you want her to get out of this country aIive? It's your caII-

I don't know where he and his wife are!

Wife? What wife?

Prestes is married?!

Her name?! I want to know her name!

Go ahead-

Her name!

Her name!

OIga!

Her name is OIga-

OIga-

You're even more beautifuI when you smiIe-

What have you got there?

I hope it fits you- I Iack practice---

but I wanted to make you something to wear-

When we fIed"," you couIdn't bring anything with you-

I Iearned to sew from my sisters-

I've never met a man Iike you-

One with such deIicate gestures---

and such great dreams-

May I?

I promise I'II try to spare your feet-

President Vargas himseIf has phoned me-

-He wants us to end this- -And if we find the coupIe?

Go in shooting then ask questions"," GaIvao-

Do you want Prestes dead or aIive?

The first one who gets Prestes"," dead or aIive---

I'II reward him with $1 00","000 r�is-

Did I make myseIf cIear?

EIza! Come with me!

Come on-

VaII�e's escaped"," but they got GhioIdi and Carmem-

If onIy we couId heIp them!

What's gonna happen to EIza?

She shouId never have met us"," or taken part in meetings-

EIza put many peopIe in danger-

-That wiII end soon- -I saw the poIice on the way back-

FiIinto M�IIer must know I Iived here in Meyer as a boy-

They'II start searching door-to-door-

We must ask the Party for heIp-

I've got to get you out of the country-

I meant no harm! It wasn't my fauIt!

I didn't want to know anything!

I'm sorry"," EIza- You ratted on our comrades-

They made me!

It's the poIice!

-It's the poIice- -Keep caIm"," ManueI-

We must Iose the soIdiers and gain some time- Go!

You must fIee-

I can't! I won't Ieave you!

I'II start shooting"," they'II deaI with me"," and you can Ieave-

They are too many! You wouIdn't stand a chance!

But if they catch you"," they won't spare you!

I don't want you to die!

-Who is it? -It's the poIice! Open it!

Step aside"," we're coming in-

A man jumped out of the back window- It must be Prestes-

Shoot him! He mustn't get away!

It's Prestes! Shoot him!

No! Don't! He's unarmed! Don't shoot!

Arrest Prestes at once! The hunt is over!

-Take Prestes to the eIevator! -No! I'II go with him!

My orders were cIear!

You'II be heard separateIy- Take him away!

Never forget who you are-

Nothing can change what we had together-

Nothing-

I Iove you-

Take them away-

My IittIe one-

My IittIe one-

DETENTION CENTER"," RIO DE JANEIRO

Are you aII right?

Don't be afraid-

These are doctors"," writers"," actresses"," workers-

No one wiII harm you-

My name is Maria-

Carmem!

OIga---

Sabo is here-

Sabo!

They'II kiII Arthur!

The eIectric shocks wiII start again!

First me"," then Ewert-

Me"," then Ewert-

What have they done to you"," Sabo?

-Who sent you? -I don't know-

I don't know-

When did you aII arrive in BraziI?

Who sent you?

I don't know-

This prison won't change who I am"," nor who you are-

You'II rot in here-

What wiII be Ieft of your pride? Your dignity?

I'II be Iike so many in BraziI"," at the mercy of men Iike you-

How's Ewert?

The responsibiIity for the uprising was aII mine-

How Iong are you going to torture him? And why?!

It's not our fauIt he isn't cooperating-

-Perhaps OIga couId heIp us- -Where have you taken her?

Where have you taken her?!

That's a secret-

OIga hasn't said a word"," but we know everything-

We know exactIy who she is- The German ambassador himseIf---

---gave us her compIete fiIe- -FiIe?

They'II have her deported-

You are genuineIy concerned about her"," aren't you?

How do you feeI"," OIga?

Sick- I've had dizzy speIIs-

I never feIt Iike this- I don't know what's happening-

It's none of my business"," but you're not pregnant"," are you?

Pregnant?

Yes"," pregnant-

What about your period?

I am Iate- I'd forgotten-

Pregnant?

What am I to do"," Maria?

I can Iook after myseIf"," but a baby? And in here!

What if they send me back to Germany?

OIga Ben�rio! You wiII be taken for interrogation tomorrow-

Prestes' wife-

I need you aII to know---

I am pregnant-

Pregnant by Luis CarIos Prestes!

I need a Iawyer and a doctor-

I am the wife of a BraziIian---

and I want to have my baby here in BraziI!

This note is for my husband-

It is my right that he shouId know I am pregnant!

I ask you to give it to him-

Go on-

Ewert!

Ewert! OIga is expecting my chiId-

Can you hear me? My chiId!

My chiId-

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS"," SWITZERLAND"," 1 936 My son Luis CarIos Prestes---

is stiII in jaiI"," and incommunicado-

And my daughter-in-Iaw must not be deported- She's pregnant-

-Do you have a Iawyer? -We do---

but the BraziIian government is uncooperative-

OIga and my brother aren't officiaIIy married-

BraziIian Iaw doesn't recognize their marriage---

but my son has aIready acknowIedged paternity-

It's a deIicate situation-

We'II do aII we can-

Show me-

That's coming aIong niceIy-

I never thought I'd ever enjoy knitting baby cardigans-

Did you never imagine yourseIf as a mother?

Not a mother"," nor a wife-

So many feeIings I never knew-

I aIways mistrusted words of Iove-

Sometimes"," I catch myseIf whispering his name-

He made me feeI so strong"," and yet so fragiIe-

"The law ls on our slde"-

The Supreme Court has sentenced OIga Ben�rio to be deported-

Rumor has it the prisoners wiII revoIt"," if that happens-

Any revoIt must be crushed by force-

I'II send in as many men as it takes-

What about Prestes' mother and sister's internationaI campaign?

SeveraI countries and institutions support it- They're not aIone-

Some say they'II even try to intercept the ship---

if we send them back to Germany-

We won't touch Prestes or his wife-

The internationaI authorities can't accuse us of anything!

This ceII is the right size for you-

A generaI without soIdiers"," without arms-

Without your wife-

We won't Iet them!

You're a Jew"," you can't be sent to HitIer's Germany-

CountIess habeas reIief petitions"," aII dismissed!

-The ruIing is finaI- -We'II resist to the end-

They won't take you away!

Good evening"," Iadies-

The poIice are concerned about Dona OIga-

We hear she isn't weII---

so we're moving her to a hospitaI-

-HospitaI? -A weII-equipped hospitaI-

You know better than I do"," if she doesn't receive proper care---

---she's IikeIy to give premature birth- -It's a Iie!

Everyone up! The poIice are here to take OIga Prestes!

They'II deport her!

OIga"," we can't Iet them deport you to Germany!

It's inhuman! You're not weII!

I'm scared FiIinto M�IIer wiII use Prestes as a hostage-

To try and turn the situation round- What if they kiII him?

Or storm the prison? I don't want any more deaths!

We'II resist as Iong as we can-

I give you my word!

You wiII be taken to a hospitaI and aIIowed to be accompanied-

F- M�IIer has given me permission"," if necessary-

-Accompanied by one of us? -We give you our word-

Be brave"," Sabo-

You were aIways so brave-

Are you ready?

Yes-

They reaIIy are taking us to the hospitaI! I know this route!

Maria"," do you think the worId wants to be changed?

What?

Our convictions---

our dreams-

Do you reaIIy think the worId wants to be changed?

I onIy know BraziI"," OIga-

And peopIe here are crushed by misery"," negIigence"," and vioIence-

BraziI-

I'II never understand this country-

The pIace where I found happiness"," and Iost it-

We're at the hospitaI- The hospitaI-

-Get into that van! -I won't!

-You gave me your word- -I know-

But orders are orders- Take her!

-No! I'm staying! -It's useIess to resist!

-It makes no difference- -OIga! No!

You gave me your word!

La Coruna? Spain?

A 7-month pregnant woman cannot board!

That's against aII maritime norms- And I'm in command here!

The order was given by President Vargas himseIf-

This prisoner is of maximum interest to the Gestapo-

You must take both prisoners on board-

Two prisoners?

There's another prisoner?

Sabo!

The NationaI Security Law gives us the right---

to expeI undesirabIe foreigners-

The La Coruna wiII saiI directIy to Germany-

The German Secret PoIice"," the Gestapo"," wiII be waiting for you-

A gift from Vargas to HitIer-

FareweII"," CarIos- FareweII-

OLGA HAS BEEN DEPORTED

Sabo-

HAMBURG"," GERMANY OCTOBER"," 1 936

I have come in the name of our F�hrer---

to take charge of two criminaIs-

Where are you taking us? What wiII you do?

What wiII you do?!

OIga!

OIga!

Sabo!

BARNIMSTRASSE PRISON"," BERLIN"," 1 936

Come on"," OIga!

Come on"," OIga!

It's a girI-

A girI-

Let me hoId her! PIease!

Here in this prison"," we don't aIIow such priviIeges-

Just for a second"," pIease!

PIease!

Anita!

You'II be named after Anita GaribaIdi---

and your grandmother"," Leoc�dia-

My brave IittIe girI!

On account of the baby's birth---

you'II be a aIIowed a mug of miIk and a bowI of porridge a day-

-Then I'II have more miIk- -Prison norms are quite cIear-

Babies are separated from their mothers at 6 months---

and sent to a Nazi Party orphanage-

-Six months? -But in your case we shaII be forced---

to make an exception-

We know there are peopIe using you as excuse---

to carry out campaigns against the Germany State-

And in order to prove that this is a humanitarian regime---

we wiII aIIow the chiId to remain with you---

for as aIong as you can breastfeed-

History foIIows its course-

And we must be strong enough to try to foIIow ours-

Being Luiz CarIos Prestes' mother can't be easy-

I am not a victim of my son or daughter-in-Iaw-

I am a victim of those who have imprisoned him-

I am a victim of those who keep him incommunicado-

I am yet another victim of the Nazis-

Your granddaughter--- she has been born-

This birth wiII strengthen our campaign!

Comrades around the worId support us-

We'II be abIe to send them food---

perhaps even visit them in prison-

But the Ietter from the Red Cross aIso warned that---

when OIga's miIk dries up"," she'II be separated from her daughter-

They said we shouId go to the Gestapo-

Perhaps if we had the support of OIga's famiIy-

Her father is dead"," but her mother"," Eugenie"," is stiII aIive-

They may not recognize our reIationship with OIga---

but they won't be abIe to ignore her mother-

There's no time to Iose! I wiII go to the Gestapo-

And if Eugenie is the onIy person who might be abIe to heIp---

OIga and my granddaughter I shaII speak to her-

We'II free them both-

It's from OIga"," to you-

She caIIs you mother-

''Dearest mother---

"l do e"v"erythlng l can" "for our llttle Anlta"-

"ln a way, our ll"v"es are reflected" "ln thls llttle person"-

lt ls so wonderful the "way she feeds off me"-

lt's as lf l could pass on my "past, my lo"v"e for Carlos"---

"through thls mllk"---

whlch ls the opposlte of all the blood shed ln the world-''

"''l ha"v"e so much to tell"-

Today my llttle glrl took "her flrst llttle steps"---

and laughed so much-''

''Her smiIe is so IoveIy it makes us forget aII that is bad in this Iife-

OnIy humans are capabIe of destroying a famiIy-

If onIy we couId aII be together-''

As I said in my Ietter---

we came about OIga-

I'm onIy receiving you out of poIiteness-

Since my husband died I have not aIIowed OIga's name---

---to be mentioned in this house- -But her Iife---

and that of our granddaughter depend on your heIp-

I have no granddaughter-

OIga is no Ionger my daughter-

And that girI in the picture"," isn't she your daughter?

You can save her-

It's in your hands!

Don't deny us your support-

This was my daughter---

not the Communist who's in jaiI in BerIin-

PIease Ieave now-

Now I know why the Gestapo said you were a good German-

Don't dry up! I need miIk-

Anita"," one day---

our famiIy wiII aII be reunited-

Me"," you"," and your father-

-I stiII have miIk to breastfeed! -Dress the girI and pack her cIothes-

-No! I have miIk! -Dress the girI!

You can't do this! It's a crime! She's a baby! A baby!

My daughter is not guiIty of anything!

Pack the chiId's cIothes- Take her out of here now!

It's a crime! What you're doing is a crime!

You can't separate us! I'm her mother!

She mustn't be punished!

-Get out of here! -Don't just stand there! Get the chiId!

No!

I stiII have miIk-

You'II take her onIy over my dead body!

Let go! Let go!

Anita! No!

Murderers!

Nazis!

HitIer wiII kiII my 1 -year-oId baby!

Murderers!

Mommy!

First you must sign some papers-

Here-

And here is the doctor's report confirming---

the chiId has been handed over in good heaIth-

We wiII not accept any future compIaints-

Let me see OIga!

Just for a minute-

She must know that we wiII take care of her daughter-

Can't we at Ieast---

Ieave OIga a note?

-PIease! -DeIiver this note to OIga-

It is her right as a mother-

PIease-

I want no more strength-

No more courage-

I'm frightened-

Been in jaiI Iong?

First I was in Barnimstrasse"," where my daughter was born-

Then"," Lichtenburg-

You have a daughter?

They took her away from me-

So many months without news"," I wonder if she's aIive-

Today wouId be her birthday-

Ravensbr�ck-

What wiII it be Iike?

How Iong wiII we be there? No one seems to care-

Do the majority of German peopIe reaIIy know what's going on?

The persecution of the Jews"," the Iabor camps?

They know- Just Iike other European countries-

They'd rather turn a bIind eye-

They cIose their eyes to the horror-

RAVENSBR�CK CONCENTRATION CAMP

GERMANY"," 1 939

"''My llttle one"---

l hope at least thls "note reaches you"-

"l'"v"e sent so many letters," "left unanswered"-

"l'"v"e recel"v"ed thls photo" "of our llttle glrl"-

Anlta grows up safely, cared by "my mother and slster L�gla"-

"Not e"v"en the dlstance between" "us can keep us apart"-

Yours, Carll-''

Good news?

My daughter-

Hope- There's hope-

Where can I find a broom? This pIace is fiIthy-

-Come on"," Hannah"," Iet's cIean up- -What's the difference?

If we don't Iook after ourseIves the Nazis wiII do whatever they Iike to us-

They think we don't have feeIings"," that we're nothing-

With no past"," no present"," and no future-

We're aII in the same boat---

and if we want to be treated with dignity---

first we must act Iike human beings"," and not animaIs!

I won't accept that- WiII you?

WiII you?!

"''Carlos"---

"l'm glad l ha"v"en't changed as" "much as you'd ha"v"e llked"-

"Otherwlse, e"v"erythlng would be" so much more dlfflcult for me-''

Anita! Come here"," my dear-

MEXICO CITY 1 939

Anita"," you fiII me with hope and Iife-

Let's read you mom's Ietter-

Look at OIga's handwriting-

I'm sure the Ietter is fiIIed with Iove-

Love for you"," Anita-

ShaII we read it?

Dear Anita"," mother"," L�gia---

I miss you aII so terribIy much-

I think of you every night"," my daughter"," and when I go to sIeep---

l lmaglne what lt would be llke "to hold your llttle hands"---

"and klss your face"-

"To ha"v"e you close to me fore"v"er"---"''"

Sabo!

We're aIive-

Hey"," you red bitch!

Get back to work before I give you a thrashing!

Work"," you red bitch!

What do you think this is"," a hoIiday? Faster! Go on!

Work!

Sabo!

What's the matter?

Sabo?

OIga! OIga!

Sabo! Sabo!

Ewert!

They're coming to torture us again!

No"," Sabo! I won't Iet anyone hurt you!

The eIectric shocks wiII start again---

-Ewert! Ewert! -Sabo!

We'II get out of here!

BuIIet in the head-

Sabo"," don't die!

It's no use"," OIga-

It's over-

Hurry! Put the body in the grave!

Count! Count out Ioud!

---twenty-eight"," twenty-nine-

Loud! Louder!

Thirty!

''To iIIuminate forever- IIIuminate everything-

To the Iast days of eternity-

IIIuminate-

IIIuminate"," nothing more-

That is my motto"," and that of the sun-''

"Hltler has renewed the offensl"v"e" "agalnst the So"v"let Unlon"-

"Denmark, Norway and Belglum"---

remaln under German occupatlon, "as does France"-

Any news?

Nothing-

Not a singIe Ietter-

I don't even know whether the money we sent reached OIga-

AII our European friends are being arrested---

and sent to Concentration Camps-

AII we can do now is write the Red Cross again-

Such futiIe crueIty!

If onIy we knew what's happening to her!

What's the meaning of this siIence?

OIga and CarIos---

I won't see them again-

I'II never see my son again-

Ever-

Detention Center"," RIO DE JANEIRO 1 942

''My IittIe one"," wiII we ever see each other again?

We must be strong and wait for Iess trying times-

"Once agaln l tell you"---

nelther tlme nor space can "undo what we had together"-

There can be no regrets "between us"-

"Only the lo"v"ellest" "memorles of my llfe"-

l send you klsses "and hugs"- "Lo"v"e"---

your Carlos-''

Quick! UnIoad the trucks!

Bernburg- That's a town-

OnIy their cIothes return- Not the prisoners-

The whoIe camp is panicking-

The Jews have Iost their German citizenship- They're defenseIess-

It couId be a new concentration camp-

Do you reaIIy think it's a new camp?

They can't kiII us- They need our sIave Iabor-

Achtung! Attention!

Another 2","000 prisoners---

wiII be transferred to the new Iabor camp-

Those who have been chosen shouId step forward and form a new group-

They are as foIIows!

Faster!

Are you aII deaf?

Faster"," I said!

"''Darllngs"---

l flnd lt lmposslble to lmaglne, "belo"v"ed daughter"---

"that l wlll ne"v"er see you agaln"---

"or hold you ln my an"x"lous arms"-

"Carlos"---

"darllng"---

"my lo"v"e"---

"must l renounce fore"v"er"---

"all the good thlngs you ga"v"e me?"

l would conform to that, "e"v"en wlth you so far"---

just to see your gaze "upon me once more"-

"And l'd llke to see your smlle"-

"l lo"v"e both of you" "so" v"ery much"-

"And l'm so grateful to llfe"---

"for ha"v"lng gl"v"en me you two"-

"But l wlsh l could ll"v"e" "one happy day"---

"the three of us together"---

"as l'"v"e dreamed" "a mllllon tlmes"-

"ls lt posslble that l'll ne"v"er" "see how proud"---

you are of our daughter?''

"''Dearest Anlta"---

"my dear husband"---

"my llttle boy"---

"l weep lnto my bedclothes"---

"so no one hears"---

"for lt seems l ha"v"e no strength" "to bld you farewell now"---

"so l won't ha"v"e to do lt" "ln my tough flnal hours"-

"After tonlght"---

"l want to ll"v"e for thls brlef" "future l'"v"e got left"-

"lt was you, darllng"---

who taught me the meanlng "of wlllpower"---

especlally when pourlng forth "from sprlngs such as oursel"v"es"-

l fought for what ls "falr, good"---

"and for a better world"-

"l promlse you now"---

"as l say good-bye"---

"that to the last lnstant"---

"you wlll ha"v"e no reason" "to be ashamed of me"-

l want you to understand:

preparlng myself for death "doesn't mean gl"v"lng ln"---

but knowlng how to face lt "when lt comes"-

"Ne"v"ertheless, so many" thlngs may yet happen-''

"''To the flnal moment"---

l shall remaln flrm "and wlth a wlll to ll"v"e"-

"l klss you all for one last tlme"-

Olga-''

Dona Leoc�dia died in June"," 1 943---

without ever seeing her son Luis CarIos Prestes again-

Eug�nie Ben�rio died in---

the Teresienstadt concentration camp"," in 1 943-

Get�Iio Vargas"," eIected President of BraziI for a second term---

committed suicide in 1 954-

Anita Leoc�dia Iives with her aunt Ligia Prestes---

in Rio"," where she is a university professor-

Prestes was freed by the amnesty"," in 1 945","

and onIy then received word of OIga's death-

Years Iater---

he and their daughter Anita received her Iast Ietter-

I fought for what is fair"," good"," and for a better worId-

OIga Ben�rio Prestes

EngIish SubtitIes: Hugo Moss and Monika Pecegueiro do AmaraI