All language subtitles for Tár úr steini, Tears of Stone (1995)

TEARS OF STONE

Ladies and gentlemen
we thank Mrs. Annie Leifs

for her splendid recital.

We have heard works by three
Nordic composers,

one Danish, one German
and finally, one Icelandic.

All played magnificently
by this young virtuoso.

And now we'll change the
consert hall iinto a ballroom.

Will the musicians please take
their seats on the bandstand.

Isn't he going to introduce me?

Annie..

Ernst Zuchner?

What are you doing here?

This is my husband, Jon Leifs,
conductor and composer.

From now on, composer
and conducter.

From Iceland.

Ernst Zuchner. We know
each other from way back.

Are you involved in music?
- Im afraid not.

Pleased to meet you.

You're not only married to the prettiest
lady in Berlin,

but a great pianist as well.

Annie, let me introduce you
to some friends from Vienna,

all important music lovers.

Magnificent..

Mr. Leifs, congratulations.
- Thank you..thank you.

...Serious music is
the common language

of all European culture,

but the composers
of pure, noble music

must protect not only
the purity of their art

but also their professional
interests.

A new council of European
composers is in the making

and this council will,
in the near future...

Only madmen walk
around with pebbles

in their tail-coat pockets...

...and Icelandic geniuses.

Your are homesick.

My sweetest madman.

No Vittorio, I must have
them performed now.

It cant wait.

You are young and impatient.
I understand.

But you must also think
of practical things.

Like food for the family.

With Mrs. Leifs pregnant and
not giving any concerts...

I don't want to conduct
the old masters forever.

There are many hundred
works in my head

just waiting to be written...
now!

You can manage a few years,
can't you?

Many orchestras
have asked for you.

I don't have time for that.

Goodbye.

Mom!

Snot...

Mr. Leifs, you haven't
touched your food.

A boy?

Is it a boy?

A girl. Just like I wanted.

Shhh...Daddy needs to work.

I also need some peace
to practice.

Especially with you refusing
to take any conducting jobs.

You know...in her first
piano lesson

she couldn't even reach
the pedals with her feet.

Sure she could. - Well by
sliding from the chair.

But she insisted on
learning "Fur Elise" xxxxx

before she went home.

Have you seen the fantastic
reviews of Jon's consert?

Yes, of course.

Do you remember that, annie?
"Far Elise”

That poor teacher.
He had no choice...

but to teach her
the damned tune.

Took him all day, of course.
- That's not true.

And now she's giving
a concert in Berlin.

My...your daughter.

Isn't that something?

Grandpal!

Wouldn't you all like
some more cakes? - I would.

She knows what she wants,
just like her mother.

Im going to make
some more lemonade.

Snot, dear, come
and give me a hand.

Annie is delighted
with the grand piano.

It was most generous of you.

You know...

...it's good to be able to help.

I don't know how long
I will be able to.

If this damned Nazi propaganda
continues...who knows?

Do the trolls live
in rocks like these?

Yes.

Daddy, I want to go to Iceland
and see the elves and trolls.

One day you will.

When daddy's a famous composer,

and we live in
a big white house

with a pond in front, then we
go to Iceland on a huge ship.

When will you
get famous, daddy?

Go to sleep now.

Be thou all things
around, above

And thy eternal blessing shed.

All thy angels filled with love

Guard with light
and joy my bed

God keep mom and dad
and me and Snét

and Grandpa and Grandma and
also Grandma Leifs in Iceland

and all the elf children
and troll children. Amen.

Dad...

...is mom famous?

Mr. Leifs, unfortunately
Mr. Hoffmann is not here.

He's gone to Florence.

But Mr. Krétschl is here.

Everything is on the
right track, I'd say.

Four concerts ahead of you...
plus the radio-recordings.

Wittorio and I were
going to discuss

the publishing of my works.

I see...

Publishing is very
risky you know,

no matter how good
the works are.

Iceland Overture...

Trilogia Piccola...

Icelandic Dances...

That's quite a few pieces.

I'm prepared to put a fair sum
of my own money into this.

Its good thing to know
someone with money.

What do you mean?

Your father-in-law, of course.

This money comes out
of my own pocket

and from a few generous people
in Iceland. - Iceland, yes...

There's a great
deal of interest

in everything Nordic
at the moment.

Vikings, so pure,
fair, Aryan...

There is one thing you
really schould consider...

...The Composers' Council.

I doubt if that's
an organization

for truly modern composers.

All the major composers of
Europe will be part of it.

You could be Iceland's
representative.

It would guarantee numerous
radio broadcasts.

These four upcoming concerts...

I will of course conduct
some of my own works.

You can't make demands
like that.

This is not a demand
but a condition.

That's impossible, Mr. Leifs.

I absolutely refuse to conduct
those orchestras

unless they play at least
one of my own works.

Then just give me what you
owe me now. Im leaving.

There's not a lot here for you.

THE RADIO BUILDING

Dad? - Yes.

Why do you always have this
stone in your porcket?

This is a magic stone.

You know that if the sun shines
on trolls they turn to stone.

Once upon a time...

...there was a troll child,

who lived in a large cave
with his mom and dad.

He used to sit at
the mouth of the cave

and watch the human and elfin
kids playing in the sun.

He heard them talk about how
beyond mountains,

the world was big
and magnificient.

And one night, he sneaked
away from home

to see what was
behind the mountains.

Because he was a troll child
he could take immense strides.

But yet he had to walk
for a long time.

And when he reached the
top of the last mountain

the sun was just about
to come up.

He could see the whole world
bathing in the dew drops.

He had never seen anything
so beautiful.

He looked at the splendor
before him for a long time.

Then he remembered
that he had to hurry home

before sunrise

so he started running
back as fast as he could.

But at dawn, a thick fog rolled
in over the mountains

and the poor little troll
lost his way.

He ran and ran and
the sky above the fog

became brighter and brighter.

Finally, he caught a glimpse of
his mountain through the fog.

But the mouth of the cave was
already bathed in sunlight

and he realized that he
would never get back home.

He saw that the children
and the elves

were already out playing.

And at that very moment,
he felt the warmth

of the first rays of the sun
on his head.

And then he turned to stone.

But just before that happened,

one single tear ran
down his cheek

and when the sunlight touched
it as it fell on the ground

it, too, turned to stone...

...and this is that stone.

My father found it

and he told me that all the
little troll's longing

to get back home to his
mom and dad in the cave

was contained in this
single stone tear.

That's why whoever
carries this stone

will always be able
to find his way home.

And now we're home.

Well, I really must be off,

otherwise there'll be
all sorts of trouble.

Look at me, mom.
- What the..

Stop it.

Goodbye Annie.

What did he want?
- Nothing special.

He said he just happened
to be in the neighbourhood.

He left his card.

Department manager...

How does he know where we live?

It's even quite well paid.

He has found an
apartment for us.

See how fat he's gotten.

It's really sweet of him
to offer you this job.

He's getting an orchestra
together.

I could record my music.

Daddy, look! The sea
is full of water.

I haven't heard you practice
this for a while.

What do you mean?

Im playing your piano pieces
at the Berlin concert.

Really?

How generous of you.

What's the matter with you?

Lif! Lif!

Where is Lif?
- Isn't she with you?

Lifisn't here.
What happened?

They smashed all the windows
and everybody ran outside..

Where is your sister?
- I don't know.

I couldn't find her and then
everybody just left...

Left where? What happened?

Where are the children?

I don't know.

Lif!

Lif.

Daddy.

THE RADIO BUILDING

It's not safe here anymore.

I can't possibly go to Iceland.

I have commitments here.

What about Berlin?

I would have to cancel
the Berlin concert.

I'll go to my parents.

You can leave.

Annie...

...maybe it would be
better for us...

...if I would join this
new Composers' Council.

It's safer...for the family.

My works would get performed
on the radio all over Germany.

It's called supporting
the family...

...earning a living.

It's a Nazi organisation.

You realize this is an
extraordinary advance.

You know what you have to do.

Mr. Leifs, what a pleasure
to see you here!

THE COMPOSERS' COUNCIL

It seems that composers can
actually make some money.

That's not for your music.

It's an advance for several
radio recordings and broadcast.

Its for your conscience.

I didn't sign anything.

I simply attended,
representing Iceland.

It can make a big
difference for..us.

You made a choice.
There's no compromise.

It's a matter of
having a chance

to get somewhere with
my music. It's that simple.

No, it isn't.

Which hand?
- This one.

Daddy.

That one then.

Are you playing
a trick on me?

That's the sky.
This is the mountain.

Here's the little troll...

...and this is his tear.

What a beautiful picture!
- You can keep it.

I gave daddy my picture.
- That's nice, dear.

I want to go with you
to Iceland.

You will, one day.

Goodbye love, and thank you
for that beautiful picture.

We had better leave.

Take care of your
little sister now.

And who is taking care of you?

How long are we going to stay
with grandpa and grandma?

I'm worried about you.

This unrest will
blow over soon.

It's only for a few months.

See you soon, my darling Jon.

Don't worry. Just miss me.

A little early for love
letters, isn't it?

No..no...no

...this is not
what we discussed.

There is no threat
in the way you play it.

It's a piece about dark forces,

frightening and spellbinding
at he same time.

Like fortissimo?
- Let's play it again.

And this time let me
feel the earth trembling.

It says here clearly
staccato...

...not legato.

You don't listen.

I don't want to scold
you like children.

But please concentrate
on what you're doing.

Hey, Jon...l was not aware that we
were on first name basis.

Weel, no. You see,
I was just wondering

whether it would'nt be better,
in the nineteenth bar,

if I went down to "d"
instead of "d sharp".

I mean, it would sound...

It is a bit difficult
interval...and I...

What is your name?

Borkur Haflidason. I work
in the bank over at ...

Borkur, if you didn't own the
only French horn in the country

I'd advise you to stick
to counting money.

Isn't it possible
to simplify it a bit?

Those who read music...

...once more from
the fourteenth bar.

"Those who read music."

Isn't that pushing it
a little to far?

These men are playing purely
out of enthusiasm.

They receive no pay at all.

You must communicate with them
at a level they can understand.

Don't you ever show
them anything new?

Jon, you can't make the same
demands here as in Germany.

You should be happy to get them
to play this stuff at all.

Excuse me, but some news just
came in from Germany.

It's the Nazis. They arrested
thousands of Jews last night.

They just burst
into their homes,

demolishing everything
and setting fire to it all.

I thought you might
want to know...

L-E-I-F-S.

Not Laifs.. Leifs...

...at Riethofs, 3945

or Rehbrucke, 4792.

Yes, thank you.

Try one more time, please.

Yes, thank you.

Where's the concertmaster?

You blow into the narrow end.

We're just not ready for music
that's so...

...alien. - We?

Since when did
you become one of them?

You must take the circumstances
into account. Face reality.

It's called "growing up".

You know as well as I do, Pall,
that the only thing

that makes my music alien,
is that it's new.

This is what we dreamed about.

New music, new age,
new Iceland...

You have obviously forgotten
all about that.

Leifs.

Riethof...Riethof! Yes.

Why aren't you
with your parents?

They took everything...

...Ltheir house...
everything.

They're hiding
at friends' houses.

Where are the girls?
- Frieda is picking them up.

I tried to call you.

I'm not allowed
to play anymore.

What about the concert...
in Berlin?

Daddy!
- Mr. Leifs.

Where's mom?
- She's upstairs.

You have no idea how glad
I am to be with you again.

These are from your Grandma...

Why were you at school so late?

We have a new school now
at Mrs. Weiss' house.

They closed down
the old school.

Don't! You mustn't
open the curtains.

Mom doesn't want them open.

Nonsense.

They have to be closed!

"Be thou all things
around above

And thy eternal blessing shed.

All thy angels filled with love

Guard with light
and joy my bed."

You must never leave me
again, dad.

You promise?

I promise.

Good night.

Why?

I would never touch that money.
- What have you been living on?

Dad helped us. - Ziichner brought
us food and things.

Ziichner?

So he's been a regular guest
at the house while I was away?

We have to eat.

What did he get in return?

What do you take me for?
Who do you think I am?

Maybe this is him with some
champagne and caviar?

We're on the run.

We have been hiding for days,
like some criminals.

You're welcome to stay here.

No, we'll try to get to
Switzerland.

We can't stay in this
country any longer.

You too must get out,
as soon as possible.

We're all Icelandic citizens,
that should...

Your daughters are Jews
as well.

Jon, you are as Aryan as they
come.

Make use of that and try
to get you and your family

out of here, before
it's too late.

Come on dear, we must be
on our way.

THROW THE JEWS OUT

Mr. Leifs. Glad to see you.

I have very good news for you.

I read in the papers that you
attended the first meeting

of the Composers' Council.

Excellent.

One has to choose, Mr. Leifs.

I suppose I have some money
here, for the broadcasts.

No. -But they were already
on the program.

You told me...

You said the key word
Mr. Leifs, "were"...

...but "are" no longer.

You have to be very careful,
Mr. Leifs.

One must be abreast
of the times.

Not everybody at the radio
station is happy with you.

But what can they possibly
have against me?

I'm certainly Aryan enough.

Yes you are...

...out not your family.

My family? What's my family
got to do with it?

But never mind.

I told you, I have good news.

A concert in Potsdam,
conducting your own works...

...and nothing else.

Mr. Leifs, we're collecting
signatures

to petition the Mayor.

I can't sign anything.
I'm a foreigner.

Dad? Why are you a foreigner?

I'm Icelandic.
I was born there.

Then why am I a foreigner?

You're not. Germany
is your country.

But Germany can't be my country
because I'm Jewish.

Don't forget that you also
have Iceland, with me.

They've declared war.

What are you doing?

I'm cold.

Mom doesn't have a country
either.

Krétschl told me they
want to do a concert

of my works in Potsdam.

How nice.

My works, exclusively.

Dear Miss Riethof,

I hereby extend to you
a cordial invitation

to my concert on the 15th
of next month.

You must come.
- No.

Please. For me?

Mom, you look like
a fairy-queen.

Good night.

I guess I should have a word
with the concertmaster.

You have a reserved seat
in the fourth row.

See you later.

How do I get into
the Auditorium?

Out the side door and in
through the main entrance.

Do you have a ticket? -I'm Mrs.
Leifs, the composer's wife.

Sorry. Nobody goes in here
without a ticket.

There must be some
misunderstanding.

Mrs. Leifs, just use
the stage entrance.

There shouldn't be any problem.

THE COMPOSERS' COUNCIL

It was absolutely fabulous.

Are you coming with us
to the bar? -No.

Daddy!

Bye, daddy.

I'm sorry, Mr. Leifs.

You'll have to find some
other way to get out.

SWEDISH EMBASSY

Whata is the matter?

Where is your mother?
- She's sleeping.

Mom got a letter from
Grandpa and Grandma.

Are you ill?

Did they make it...

...to Switzerland?

Dachau.

They're dead.

I'm sorry to be
calling so late.

I wanted to speak to Annie.
- Annie's asleep.

I have news for her.
- She already knows.

Please give her my regards.
- Wait.

I have no idea
who you really are,

but I know you have
some influence.

We have to get out of Germany.

I'll do anything.
Whatever's necessary.

You know that Iceland is
occupied by the British?

Yes, why?

I'll be in touch.

My dear fellow Icelanders,

not so long ago several
people in Reykjavik

smiled in disbelief
when I claimed

that Iceland might well
become a battleground

for the great powers
of the world.

Let's consider how a nation
could cease to exist.

There are many dangers,
but not unconquerable ones.

The main danger that
everyone sees at first

is the occupation of the
country by another nation.

It wipes out the Icelandic
language and Icelandic culture.

Defensive measures against this
have already been initiated.

Now the Icelandic
national character

will be put to the test.

Once upon a time there was
a little troll

who lived in a big mountain and
wanted to see the whole world.

One night he ran and ran
and took enormous strides.

And when the sun came up
he became very frightened

and started to run back home.

And the fog came so he got lost
and was to late home.

He could see his cave.

He could hear the children and
the elves playing all around.

Then the sun shone on his head
and he changed into a stone.

But the children just
kept on playing.

Good afternoon, dad.
- Good afternoon.

Daddy was speaking all the way
to Iceland.

Mom and I heard it on the
radio.

Don't you greet me anymore?

What do you want me to say?
Heil Hitler?

Annie, I'm trying to save us.
Get us out of...

Why do you bother?
You're not a Jew.

My daughters are.

Do you know what it will cost
me to do what I just did?

Have you thought about what I'm
sacrificing too?

Surely not your conscience, you
already sold that, remember?

I am sacrificing my integrity
and my reputation

to get you out of this country

and that's all
the thanks I get.

Do you really want us
all to die here?

What have you sacrificed?

Annie...

...where are you going?
Annie!

Where is mom going?
- We'll be right back.

Please don't go. It's so dark
outside.

I won't be a minute.
Snot will look after you.

What are you doing?

You know you're not supposed
to be out here at this hour.

You know that.

Annie...

This is crazy.

It's dangerous.
- Go away.

Annie, stop...

Annie, please...

How can you say
something like that?

How can you ask me that?

A sacrifice is something
you decide to make.

By one's own will.

I have only lost.

I've lost my parents, my
future, the music...

...and now you.
And for what?

Tell me that...for what?

Come on, Annie, don't do this.
Let's go home.

Go away.

This is stupid, Annie,
you know it is. - Go away.

Come, let's go. this is crazy.

My sweetest madman.

You are to meet someone at the
Ministry of Propaganda,

tomorrow at three.

Do you know why? -No.

You are to ask for Mr. Burkhardt
at the reception desk.

The swallows are back.

Mr. Leifs...

Goodbye, Mr. Leifs.
Have a good trip.

Mr. Zuchner... xxxx

...thank you.

Heil Hitler.

Do you know what these are?

They are exit visas.
- What's that?

Permission to leave Germany.
- And go to Iceland?

No, to Sweden. - I don't want
to go to Sweden.

We can't go to Iceland

because of the war.

I got the passports.

It was Ziichner.

Did you know he works at the
Ministry of Propaganda?

Daddy ... I don't mind
going to Sweden.

I don't want to stay
here any more.

Your documents, please.

A budding violin virtuoso?

It's going to be fun
living in Sweden.

Me and Snot can be outside and
play all day in the garden.

There is no war there.

Maybe we'll have a white house,
with a pond.

Mom can start playing again
and daddy gets famous...

It doesn't have to be white...

But you promised.

You can come and visit me,
whenever you like.

You promised.

Why do you have to be
separated?

This is the way it has to be.

Which hand?

I'm not a little kid anymore.

You promised never
to leave me.

I want to give you my magic
stone.

I want to live with you.
- That's impossible.

Just imagine how sad mom and
Snot would be.

Please let me go with you, dad.
Please!

Stay with us.
- I can't.

Then you're not my dad anymore!

Jon reached Iceland in July
1945 and made his home there.

He married Thorbjorg
Johannsdottir Moller.

They had one son.

Annie moved to Stockholm with
her daughters.

Lif drowned during a morning
swim, July 11, 1947,

on the west coast of Sweden
at the age of seventeen.

Snot moved to Iceland with her
mother, after Lif's death,

and has been living
there since.

Jon Leifs died in Reykjavik,
July 30, 1968.

Annie Riethof Leifs died
in Reykjavik, November 3, 1970.