Original subtitles

A film by Andrzej Wajda

HOLY WEEK

From a short story by Jerzy Andrzejewski

Starring:

as Zamojski:

Sound by

Edited by:

Director of Photography

Written and directed by

Any Jew who leaves the designated area

without authorisation shall be executed. Same sanction shall apply

to any other person willingly hiding such Jews.

Irena.

They are Jews!

Dad! Don't!

Dad!

- Please let me go. - We can't.

You know well we have to take you to the Gestapo.

You're mistaking me for somebody else.

Here are my papers.

Grabowska, Irena.

Residing at 22, Narbutta St, Warsaw.

- At the Makowskis'. - Eyes: grey. Very nice!

Papers like these aren't hard to find these days.

Anything can be bought these days.

Yes, anything can be bought these days.

Yes. I know.

Easy. You'll get what's yours.

It was a grim Holy Week in Warsaw.

On Monday 19 April 1943 some of the survivors in the ghetto

put up resistance against persecutions.

Shots were fired. The Germans, taken by surprise, retreated.

Fights ensued. Everybody knew that the ghetto was to be finally razed

and all the surviving Jews murdered.

Don't linger there, lady!

Quick!

Irena?

Is that you?

How come you're here? You live in Warsaw?

Yes.

There's no knowing when we can get out of here.

- Where are you living? -Nowhere.

But you said you're living in Warsaw!

Yes, but I can't go back to my place.

- And your father? - Dead.

So it's true...

What about your mother?

- She's dead, too. - That's horrible.

We can get out through over there.

Quick!

What's the matter?

Jesus Christ! Hang on!

Excuse me. Could I have some water? This lady's fainted.

Please come on in.

Irena, come on!

- Why am I going here? - You're coming with me, come on.

- Got anywhere to go? - No.

- Why hang around here? - You think so?

Of course.

Hang on.

- Is that far? - Quite far.

No, thanks.

It's good you wouldn't marry me back then.

We don't bring happiness. Except if we have money.

What a thing to say!

Oh, Ania.

Anything the matter?

Not here but in the city, I hear.

Yes, we have a guest. Irena Lilien, my wife. - Malecka.

Not my intention to come here but Jan insisted.

It's nice here. I've never been here.

- Is it far? - No, the house's behind those trees.

When is your son due?

Why a son?

- Wouldn't you like a son? - Yes we do.

- So, when? - Mid June.

- A long time. - Not really, nearly two months.

Two months is a long time.

Now it seems so but one must be hopeful.

Hopeful? I just want to be alive.

Being alive means being hopeful.

- Hopeful about what? - Life.

Fair enough.

You said you wanted to be alive. Isn't that hope?

The more deaths you see around you the more you want to be alive. That's all.

Tereska, get off the balcony now!

Don't lean over, for God's sake!

This is our house.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon...

What are you playing at?

It's the ghetto.

- Who's that woman? - Mrs Piotrowska, a neighbour.

A contraband courier. Married to a young guy.

That look of hers wasn't kind.

- You're oversensitive. - I'd hate to put you into any trouble.

This will be your room.

I'm going to make dinner.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You haven't changed, really.

But you have. A lot.

You've grown old and plain.

I wouldn't fall in love with you now.

I don't think you ever did.

I did.

You thought otherwise?

Excuse me, is Mr Malecki in?

- Yes? - No, I mean Julek.

Julek's not in.

Ah, it's you, Wlodek.

Is Julek in?

He's having a bath. Try later.

OK, but please tell him I've dropped by.

You haven't told me Julek's back.

When?

About midday. Went straight to bed.

Listen. You think Irena looks Jewish to you?

Yes.

I mean, not that much.

But she still does, doesn't she?

I'd say so.

Besides, she's really beautiful.

That's even worse.

Not sure if that was a good call.

I think it was.

Do you really mean it?

You sound as if you didn't really know me.

Why did you put that dress on?

You look terrible in it.

I might change, then.

- You're back. Hi, how's things? - Fine, and you?

What a great bathroom you've got.

Get dressed. The dinner'll be ready soon.

That's swell. I could eat a horse.

- Will you put me up? -Sure.

Cheers. Until Thursday or Friday. Got a smoke?

Leaving again?

Not sure yet...

Where will I sleep? The bedroom?

No, the maid's. Not too comfy.

- Nonsense. I won't mind. - We have a guest in the study.

- Who? - You don't know her.

A woman?

Irena Lilien

The young Karski asked about you.

- Wladek, from the flat upstairs? - Yes.

You've been coaching the minors?

- Do you mind that? - I do.

Too bad. For you, of course.

- You're an adult and you can do what you like. - I do hope so.

You don't seem aware of the trouble you might drag into the likes of that boy.

What're you talking about?

That cause is greater than some trouble!

I'll tell you what. Pity you weren't coached when you were 16 yourself.

You'd have had less time for those 'conflicts' of yours.

And wouldn't have grown up to be... you know what.

- What do you know about me? -Me?

Just enough to judge you. You know too much about yourself.

And too little. Same difference.

You've started to philosophise. Great!

Which makes you quite arrogant.

Apologies. Didn't mean that.

Looks like you haven't meant a lot of things recently.

Quite nice that baby brother of mine, isn't he?

You know I'm very fond of him.

You hardly know him.

You hardly know me, too.

What do you mean?

Or at least you're not trying.

- Irena is alone in there. - Right.

I'll go and check on her.

- When's the dinner? - In a quarter of an hour.

Can you hear that?

It's loud and clear now.

You think they'll get any help from our side?

I don't think there's any way.

- Many of ours have been killed and still are. - Yes.

Go and check on Irena.

Honey, go.

- Which direction do these windows look out? - The east is there.

- The ghetto will be over there. - No, more to the south.

- What does your brother do? - Julek?

I don't know.

- The same as most of his peers, I suppose. - He's still a kid.

Let's say so.

You have the kind of life you wanted, don't you?

I do.

And what about your dreams?

You didn't think back then I'd ever come over to your place, right?

Nobody did.

This peace and quiet must be tiring in the long run?

You think we have so much of that here?

Look at this idyll.

It may look like that.

That'll be Piotrowski, from downstairs.

I prefer mine. They're stronger. Would you like one?

Good tobacco. From Miech�w.

You've been there?

- I have. Do you know that area? - A little.

You lived there recently, didn't you?

Yes. But not recently.

Some good people made sure I didn't stay in the same place too long.

But they aren't the only kind of people you've met, are they?

No, they aren't.

You think one kind balances up the other?

What was the name of that corporation of yours? Arkonia.

I found it really impressive.

Later I found out those businessmen would smash windows in Jewish shops.

- They would beat up their Jewish pals. - What corporation of mine do you mean?

I never approved of such methods of fighting.

- What methods did you approve of? - What do you mean?

Antisemitic, fascist methods, call them what you will.

- Me? - I must stand by your brother here.

- Hold on, Irena. - You hold on.

All the decent people have kept saying that.

'I never approved of such methods of fighting'.

But it's all about the attitude.

The methods come later.

There should be no fighting in the first place.

Otherwise you end up with something like that.

You think it's all up to us?

It doesn't matter if I say it's up to us and the Jews.

Words. They are just words. But it's not words that are needed.

What's needed, then?

That'll be Wlodek.

Good evening.

- Good evening. - Julek!

Go into our room, please. You can talk in there.

Julek, you haven't answered my question.

Don't worry. You'll get your answer.

Reporting for duty, sir.

What am I supposed to do?

I'd hate to put you into any trouble.

We'll think of something.

Where did you live before?

In Mokot�w, at the Makowskis'.

You know them, right?

- He was an assistant to your father? - Yes.

Something happened again, didn't it?

Same thing as always.

This morning two guys dropped by. One was a Gestapo agent.

It cost me my last gold five-rouble coin.

So the Makowskis don't know about that?

No.

No point in your going back.

I'll go there tomorrow and tell them.

Will bring your stuff over. Mustn't take any risks.

When I meet somebody new now, I look them in the eyes.

And I wonder

'Could you give me away?'

How am I supposed to live?

I'll never have a normal life!

When I bumped into you, I wondered the same thing, you know.

Let's say I survive this.

- Things will change, then. - People won't change.

At least they won't have a right to kill me.

But they'll wish they could get a gold 5 rouble coin off me.

What are you talking about?

You will see I'm right.

They'll hate us even more because we can walk free.

We'll get back to our homes and we'll have rights.

Now people aren't against us out of shame.

We're given shelter out of sense of duty but then there won't be any duty.

But we will never forget it.

You know that Jews can't forget the harm done to them.

Unlike you.

You can forget everything. Your doing harm to others and being harmed.

Maybe there's some hope in that.

In forgetting.

I don't know. In the last few years I've had to be a different person.

Everybody had to change.

But not everybody's had their dignity taken away.

Can one's dignity really be taken away?

Yes. It can.

I assure you it can.

Anything can be taken away from you.

Including hope.

Even fear.

I've seen it with my own eyes.

Go with him.

Quick.

Oh, God...

This city...

Tuesday, 20 April 1943

Tuesday, 20 April 1943 That girl speaks nicely.

Mrs Karska's daughter. And a sister to Wlodek who comes to see Julek...

You must be really happy about your baby.

We are. Very much.

Is that the layette?

Yes.

Some things we got from people and some were made my myself.

- You can sew? - Yes, it's not very hard.

- I never learnt to. - These were made from Jan's old pyjamas.

And these from my nightshirt. Enough fabric for three.

Parents of yours?

Yes.

- And these are your brothers? - Yes.

- This one must be the youngest. - Yes, he was.

He was?

Got killed in Sep '39.

And your parents?

Mother is in Vilnius.

Father was executed right after the invasion.

Franek. He died in Dachau last year.

Apart from me and my mother... the oldest brother might be still alive.

He was with the Polish Army in the UK

then he was in Norway...

in Africa...

This is for the christening.

Haven't you ever rebelled against the pointlessness of death?

Yes.

But I've changed.

Why all this? Suffering makes you nobler? Nonsense.

I know.

You see

I'm a much worse person than I used to be.

- Everybody is. - Not everybody.

Maybe. But most are.

That's true.

So what's the point of all this?

I don't know.

There's some order in this world.

Everything happens for a reason.

- So what? - Nothing.

I just want to be a better person.

That's all.

You were going to tell me something. Remember?

What was it?

Just some thoughts...

You won't tell me?

No secret, but it's hard to talk about that.

About what?

About that.

I know.

I feel so ashamed

when I'm thinking about those people,

about what awaits them.

And when I'm thinking about us on this side.

Even more of ours are being killed.

But theirs have been killed for ages.

I think

we should do something.

- We? - We.

Here. The Catholics.

We should

we should be with them.

At least in our thoughts.

But I can't do much.

Go to bed.

Go to bed.

You know

by next Easter our baby will be quite big.

It might even start to walk.

Yes, by the summer next year.

It sounds so ordinary.

What will happen in a year?

Can you imagine our baby going through what we are?

- Our parents didn't imagine that. - Don't say that!

I...

I must believe it will be happy.

Can you hear that?

What's that?

Close the window, I can't listen to this!

Can you hear that?

Who's screaming?

That's impossible.

Save me.

Save me.

Help me.

Wednesday 21 April 1943

Julek!

Hold on.

I'll make some breakfast.

- Take off your coat. I'll make coffee. - But I'm in a hurry.

Just a few minutes.

OK.

Come on, take off your coat.

OK.

You know what? A family home is not a bad idea.

- You haven't realised that before? - No.

Janek and I practically grew up without a home.

You should get married.

When the war ends.

Provided I meet a woman like you, of course.

- You've started paying me compliments. - That's true.

- How long will you be? - Don't know.

I have some plans but they may change.

Got to go.

- Good morning. - Good morning. Excuse me.

How's things?

Off to do the Easter shopping?

Nothing special this year.

That's easy to say but if one has a guest around...

My husband's brother's staying for a few days.

My old friend's here too, but she may not stay around for Easter.

Mrs Malecka.

Everybody holds their own life dear.

Yes, they do.

One doesn't suffer the occupation just to get killed for some, pardon the word, Jews.

Old woman, give us a cig, will ya?

Hardly old. Get it yourself.

Come on.

Can't be bothered to go in.

Why don't you give me a hand

instead of loafing around all days long? Here.

Good morning.

Glad you're back.

Must talk to you.

Has something happened?

Just look outside.

Can you see that?

- Don't worry. He's our landlord's servant. - What about the other one?

There's nobody else.

You think there's nothing to worry about.

I can't see anything for the smoke. Where is it?

You sure you saw it?

Have another look. I'm sure I saw it.

There is a way through. Let's meet tonight on the other side.

Remember! The other side of the street.

Arrive one by one.

Oh my God. Julek! So glad you're back.

I have to be back there by 7pm.

It's really hard to get to the city from here.

- You won't be staying the night? - No.

- Are you leaving? - Sort of.

Will you be long?

Don't know yet.

Pity.

- Jan isn't back yet? - Janek?

We can live with that, can't we?

I've come to see you.

I may not be able to come back.

What?

You never know. I'll be your baby's godfather. You'll see.

- You're not going anywhere. - No.

- What will happen next? - That won't be a walk in the park.

What you're doing is madness.

Look who's talking.

Don't think we're doing this to make amends for some wrongs.

No sacrifices. It's about something else.

The people in there are fighting for the same thing as we are.

Somebody must stand by them.

Out of mere solidarity.

Do you want me to tell Jan about it?

Do what you think is right.

You know...

actually I can't remember my mother.

But when I think about her

you seem to remind me of her.

I have to go now.

It's late.

I'm so exhausted.

Parcels to my husband in the Oflag. Kids growing up. And Wlodek on top of that.

Hope he won't get mixed up in some nasty business.

Here we are.

Thank you.

Ah, Julek!

- You been home? Everything alright? - Yes.

Sorry. Julek, my brother. Mrs Karska.

- How do you do? - How do you do?

Where are you off to? The city? Now?

I won't be staying the night here.

Fair enough.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Later, bro and take care!

Ma'am!

Thank you very much.

- Is Wlodek, home, love? - I don't love Wlodek.

- Why, what's the matter? - Because he's gone and left.

- When? - Not so long ago.

Tereska.

Are you sure he didn't say where he was going?

Try to recall!

What's the matter?

Are you sure Julek will be out tonight?

Most likely.

I beg you to tell me if you know anything about Julek.

I'm positive they went out together.

I'm not going to interfere. I must know where my son is.

- And what he's ready to die for. That's all. - Maybe they didn't go together.

I beg you!

Just so.

No, no, no. I know.

I know

they went together. Can't be helped.

Can't be helped.

He could've told me. I wouldn't have stopped him.

How could I have stopped him?

Mummy, do you love me as much as Wlodek?

Of course.

Of course I do.

Who's that bird staying at the Maleckis'?

- Jewish. - How do you know?

Just look at her.

Where did you see her? I wish she wouldn't get herself seen.

She was on the balcony.

A nice bird.

But Jewish.

- Jewish or not, she's got what it takes. - Oh, come off it!

- And so has you. - Leave me alone.

A lovely evening, isn't it?

Yes, indeed.

Reading poetry helps me calm down. Fancy a cup of coffee?

Sorry, still got some work to do.

What's the matter?

- Have you been crying? - Of course not.

Really?

I've bumped into Julek. He's off somewhere again.

Perhaps it's good he's not staying the night.

Last night went a bit sour.

- How's Irena? - What?

- What's wrong? - I'm fine.

- Obviously you're not. - I'm fine, really.

Fair enough. Suit yourself.

But don't tell me you're fine. I can see you're not.

Is anything the matter?

No.

People have started talking.

Mrs Piotrowska?

But she saw Irena yesterday.

Today the husband saw her.

What the hell did she go on the balcony for?

I'd rather you talked to her.

Seems more appropriate.

It's in her own interest to be more careful.

It's not about us. It's a different thing.

OK, I'll point it out to her.

Ania.

What's the matter?

Thursday 22 April 1943

I know that some may... But please recall what our lives were like before the war.

What our streets looked like.

In this one respect we may be grateful to Hitler.

He's done some tedious, unpleasant job for us.

There won't be any Jewish issue now.

But for Hitler, we'd have to liquidate them after the war ourselves.

Problem solved and the so-called humanitarian issues don't apply here.

Poland must be free of the Jews!

It's in the national interest.

Besides, there's no reason to pity them. They don't pity us.

If they seized power,

they'd show us what they're capable of.

Am I not right, my dear fellow?

I wasn't here when you started...

but what you said doesn't seem new.

Of course.

The Poles have already understood what the Jews are.

Before the war, these ideas were popular with our fascists.

You mean 'nationalists'.

- Isn't it all the same? - No!

Apologies.

We know who's trying to discredit us

with a 'fascist' label. But we'll show them the difference!

In concentration camps?

Yes, if that's necessary.

That's how we'll show the Jews and the commies who we are.

But while the war's on, I'll tell who you are.

Please do.

Bandits!

You're bandits!

Deserving only contempt, a disgrace to the Polish people.

Marta!

You're a disgrace, you scoundrels!

- Marta. - Yes?

- I wanted... - to tell me that I was right, didn't you?

Of course.

I wish you'd done that in there.

- It appears that... - that you've said what you think?

- Yes. - Yes, you've made it very clear.

So clear I feel it doesn't need my comment.

Anyway, doesn't matter now.

Please the boss I'm resigning, effective today.

Please rethink.

I just have.

Marta's resigned.

To hell with her.

Easy to replace, no worries.

A good girl, isn't she?

Yes, yes. But hysterical.

- That Zalewski of yours is a rascal. - Rascal or not, but confidentionally...

the guy's got a point.

I don't approve of such methods...

- By the way, do you know the Liliens? - Yes.

- I saw Miss Lilien in the centre yesterday. - Yesterday?

Maybe not yesterday, but I'm positive it was her.

- Do you know what's become of her? - No idea.

Quite a pounding.

Interesting.

- Go and see what's happened near Makarczynski's. - No way.

Go and look. Quite a crowd.

'A crowd'.

Go and see what's going on.

You go.

I'm not decent. Be a good lad and move it.

- I am going. - And don't be long!

Behave yourself!

And? What took you so long? What's happened?

Some people being led along the street.

What do you mean 'led'?

By the Gestapo.

They've caught.

Caught who? Where?

Nearby. Some folk.

Jews.

Watch the cake. I won't be long.

- Where you off to? - To Zamojski.

- What again? - What d'ya mean?

Can't you see? I won't sit here doing nothing

until we all get got because of her.

I won't tell on her. Don't want her blood on my conscience. Not my job.

If I'm not back in 15, take the cake out and stir the stew.

The hell I will.

May I?

- You know me, don't you? - Of course.

Admittedly, not everything in our house is perfect.

But can one allow someone's carelessness to

put the lives of others in danger these days?

Those actions are, pardon the word, anti-social.

But...

What if you were told that in your own house

people were hiding, pardon the word, Jews?

I don't know anything about that.

But I do.

And so do Mr & Mrs Malecki.

Are you implying that some people

are staying at Mr & Mrs Malecki's flat?

Yes. A Jewish woman.

Hold on. How do you know that lady is Je...

Am I blind or what?

I'm not wrong.

Just look at her.

I am a Polish woman, sir.

I won't tell the Germans about it. Don't worry.

But how on earth...

It's like a dormant volcano. There are children here.

Of course, of course.

I will speak to Mr & Mrs Malecki.

Absolutely.

It must be explained.

- Maybe it's a misunderstanding? - Certainly not.

None whatsoever.

I know what I'm saying.

Of course, of course.

Does anybody else know about it?

I wouldn't know.

That's none of my business. You haven't heard that from me.

But you know.

People are just people.

Of course, of course. It must be explained.

Jesus Christ.

You!

You were supposed to watch the cake, sonofabitch!

What you gonna eat now, eh?

- You're hurting me! - That's the point.

Keep your nose out of other people's business, you bitch!

But it's for your and our child's sakes!

Keep your nose out of it!

Right!

Remember!

It's all your fault!

Mr Malecki!

Mr Zamojski would like a word.

I'm terribly sorry to bother you.

I'm perfectly fine.

I wanted to speak to you

in strict confidence.

It's quite a drastic matter.

Yes?

If I'm not mistaken... As far as I know...

There is a... certain lady... staying in your flat.

I don't know her surname.

Ms Grabowska.

She's staying for a few days.

Is it about registering her?

Yes and no. Well, registration, you know, in this day and age.

I'm sure you understand.

It's not about me.

I see.

- But... - But?

It was implied to me... I'm quite certain that...

Ms Grabowska is actually...

Is that her real surname?

Supposing my reply would be negative. Supposing that is NOT the lady's real name.

What would you have me do?

- I don't want to know about it. - Excuse me.

You said we were talking in strict confidence.

Thus you let me speak with frankness. Hence: what do you think I should do?

Excuse me, but how should I know? What do you want from me?

It all makes me ache.

As the landlord of this house...

There are people living here, women, children...

A tip-off, a search, you understand?

- Yes. What should be done then? - Oh, God, what do you want from me?

I keep getting nightmares about the Gestapo.

What do you want from me for the love of God?

I do understand everything.

But this is about a human life.

A human life must be respected.

I do promise again Ms Grabowska will be staying only a few days.

Considering my wife's pregnancy, it's in my best interests too.

Just a few days.

I'll speak to Mrs Piotrowska.

I'll tell her she may be wrong. That Ms Grabowska's looks are suspicious but...

Just a few days.

I appreciate it.

Not everybody would do the same if they were in your shoes.

Any decent Pole would.

To quote a poet.

Janek! You haven't brought the suitcase, have you?

Again.

I wonder what excuse he has.

I haven't been to the Makowskis'.

A lot of work at the office.

Easter's coming.

As far as I'm concerned, no need to go there.

I promised to go and I will.

He will, he will.

- But only when he wants to. - That's because Jan hates coercion.

He procrastinates.

And he doesn't like conflicts.

We used to have heated arguments at home but Jan never took sides.

GOOD FRIDAY 23 April 1943

Tereska, are you on your own here?

Mummy's gone into town to look for Wlodek.

Be careful then. Don't get yourself hurt.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Enjoy your walk!

- J�zek. - What is it?

Wacek!

My feet are so swollen.

J�zek. On Good Friday? Shame on you!

Let me smell your breath!

You must've guzzled half a bottle.

No way! Just a wee bit.

I know what you're like.

What d'ya mean? Aren't I a swell hubby, eh?

J�zek.

Where are you off now?

To see a mate.

Got some business to talk about.

Is Mr Malecki in?

No.

We're alone, then.

What's the meaning of this?

Slow down. We have time.

Why don't you ask the guest to come to the parlour?

The guest?

I've wanted to meet you ever since I saw you on the balcony the other day.

No opportunity so far.

But now

there is an opportunity.

What are you talking about?

You don't understand?

No.

Please leave. Understood?

Shall I call the doorkeeper?

Yes, why don't you?

Do call him.

What are you waiting for?

What's stopping you?

Invite me to the parlour, then.

- I regret to say... - You regret to say what?

I don't have any money.

Your predecessors

or 'colleagues' took good care of it.

None of my business.

Am I after money or what?

What are you after, then?

A beautiful bird like yourself

hasn't figured it out yet?

- Why are you lying down? - ' Cause I'm Jesus and you're an angel.

Boys, what are you up to?

I'm Jesus. Come over here.

Lean over me 'cause I'm lying on the cross.

What are you waiting for?

Where were you?

Where were you?

- None of your business. - Of course it is my business.

Tereska is dead! Tereska is dead!

Go away! A child is holy thing.

You! It's all your fault!

Open up! Open up!

What is it?

Get out!

Now. Move it!

Get out of here! Back to the ghetto!

- What're you talking about, Mrs Piotrowska? - What do you want me to say?

- Isn't she Jewish? Aren't you Jewish? - Don't touch me.

Who would touch you?

You still here? Back to the ghetto.

Mrs Piotrowska.

Got it? Go!

Fine. I will.

Tereska!

May you all die like dogs!

May you be wiped out and burnt like we have been.

Where's Mummy? And Wlodek?

Who d'ya want to see, mister?

Mr & Mrs Makowski.

It's number 17.

- Which entrance? - That one.

Are you feeling faint?

- No, I'm fine. - Have a seat, please.

No, thank you very much.

I'll be fine.