Original subtitles

You should pose for him, Alma.

I don't think my stepfather would approve of me...

spending my days halfnaked in Klimt's studio.

- But you'd be immortalized. - And infamous.

Alma. Are you alone?

Of course.

Does your stepfather know you are here?

Of course not.

Where have you been, may I ask?

N0, you may not.

I know your father allowed you to do whatever you wanted...

but as long as you are living in my h0use-

You sh0uldn't have gone to the ball by yourself.

- You knew where she was? - That is where you were, isn't it?

Yes, and I had a marvelous time.

There are rules in this society.

Ifartists followed rules, they'd still be banging on pots.

That doesn't give you permission to attend a ball unaccompanied.

Especially that one.

You're very talented...

but you lack ability.

What I mean is that it's wonderful, full oflife, but too complex.

Can't you embroider one theme instead of twenty?

You've scandalized halfofvienna with these drawings.

What about the other half?

I think they'd like to pose for you.

This is more like a cafe than a workplace.

We'vejust been to a rehearsal of Beethoven's “Ninth.”

- Was Mahler conducting? - Of course. Brilliant.

At least he wasn't conducting one of his compositions.

I think his musids much better than it sounds.

I doubt it.

I could barely sit through his first symphony.

Lots of brass and no melodies.

Halfthe audience walked out.

Mahlefs a genius.

Brahms thought so.

As a conductor, not a composer.

Then, of course, you w0uldn't want to meet him?

- Brahms? - Mahler.

He's coming to dinner at the ZuckerkandPs tonight.

But I wasn't invited.

D0 you think you could control your tongue ifyou were?

N0, I don't think so.

I read your review of Strauss's new opera, Bertha.

Personally, I agree with you. lt's disappointing.

But your conducting was brilliant, Gustav.

Agreed.

Maybe it isn't Strauss's best work, but it's nothing to be ashamed of.

- I rather liked it. - You're being generous, Sophie.

Even Strauss's wife hated it.

Pauline? Everybody knows she's completely mad.

It's time your sister was married, Gustav.

Justine? What would I do without her?

Ifshe didn't take care of me, l'd be completely helpless.

And what about you?

Past 40 and still inviting the divas into your office after rehearsals?

Only to discuss their performances, Bertha.

What do you two find so amusing?

We were discussing beauty.

Klimt says that the head of Socrates is the most beautiful thing...

he has ever seen, but I don't agree with him at all.

His head is large and imposing. Rather like yours, l'd say.

S0 you don't think my head is beautiful?

Not really.

Well, perhaps you'd rather listen to my music than look at my head.

I admire your conducting very much, Herr Mahler...

but l'm not really familiar with your music.

Then you're the only civilized person in Vienna who isn't.

You're right, of course. I do know it.

It's not that you don't have talent. You do.

But-

But?

I feel that your music...

is thematically disorganized and repetitive.

Your orchestration is so elaborate. There's too much foreign material-

Excuse me.

- L'm sorry I offended you. - Not at all.

L'm just surprised that such a beautiful young woman...

should be so outspoken.

Then you didn't come in here to berate me?

N0, I came in here to tell you...

I hope to make you change your mind about my music.

Of course, there isn't really very much we can do about my head.

Piano.

Piano. Piano.

Herr Mahler, but yesterday you said it was too piano.

That was yesterday. Today is today. Today I say it's too loud.

It's my symphony. I have the right to change my mind.

Gentlemen. Forty-one.

What did you think? T00 many bits and pieces?

T00 much brass?

- T00 many foreign influences? - It was oven/vhelming.

It was meant to be. A symphony should be like the world.

It must contain everything.

How do you know so much about music?

- Music is my whole life. - Then you know what loneliness is.

N0, not at all.

Perhaps it's only the composer whds lonely.

I study with Zemlinsky.

Zemlinsky? l've met him.

Then you know what a beautiful man he is.

I w0uldn't g0 that far.

Well, perhaps not as beautiful as you.

Or Socrates?

Your relationship with your musicians seems rather tense.

Tense?

They resist change.

Everything I do they say, “Tradition, Herr Mahler.

This is our tradition.”

But tradition, I tell them, isjust another word for laziness.

D0 you know what I wish?

N0. What do you wish?

You won't take it seriously.

I take everything you say seriously.

I wish you would conduct one of my songs.

One ofyour songs?

Yes.

Well, perhaps.

One day, during rehearsals.

Just a rehearsal? Then there w0uldn't be an audience.

L'll be there. Aren't I enough?

L'm afraid you w0uldn't be impartial.

S0, have you changed your mind about Herr Mahlefs music, Alma?

Not entirely.

Last week you said you loved me.

That was last week.

You're heartless, Alma.

Your cheeks look flushed.

From the walk, l'm sure.

_ Are you? 'Am l?

Are you sure it's from the walk?

I thoughtjustine would be here, but I forgot it's Tuesday.

- Her book club meets Tuesdays. - Gustav, it's all right.

But your mother, she would not approve.

L'm not a child. You seem to think that.

I don't think that at all.

Not at all.

You are notorious, though. Even Mama said so.

Notorious?

Am l?

You'd like to seduce me too, w0uldn't you?

That's not what I intend.

You are very young.

Then you don't find me attractive?

Are you toying with me?

But you're the one whds toying with me.

I think we should g0.

Your sister will be back soon.

Not for several hours, l'm afraid.

Then perhaps we should wait for her.

Now you know the stories are only rumors.

L'm not a great lover after all.

There's a new generation.

Things change.

Oh, Dr. Loos.

- You remember Fraulein Schindler? - Of course.

- Nice to see you. - Doyou like it?

Well, it's savage. lt's brutal.

But I bought it.

And l'm thinking of buying one of his sculptures.

Don't make him too rich. He's not used to having money.

It's an expression of the turmoil of my soul.

To be an artist, one must have been beaten as a child.

- Your parents beat you? - N0, never.

A schoolteacher did. She said she wanted to make something out of me.

Oskar.

Herr Klimt.

There's someone I would like you to meet.

May I introduce Fraulein Schindler.

It's the archduke and the duchess.

Who created this monstrosity?

Well, of course, Vienna is not what it used to be.

Filled with foreigners, peasants from the countryside speaking Czech.

Of course, l'm not referring to you, Herr Mahler.

Of course. Although I do qualify in those categories.

Not at all. As director of the Vienna Opera-

Herr Mahler, I understand your concerts in Germany went very well.

Yes, they were very successful.

Although it was difficult being away...

even just for two weeks now that-

I thinkyou know what I am trying to say.

I would like you to give Alma and me your blessing.

Ifyou know Alma well enough to ask for her hand...

you realize she'd marry you with or without our approval, Herr Mahler.

Welcome to our family, Herr-

Welcome, Gustav.

What I wanted to tell you is-

It seems your brothefs found his matchJustine.

- More than his match. - She's beautiful.

That's bad enough. She's a brilliant pianist.

That's infuriating.

And on top of that, she composes.

You heard those rumors about her and Klimt?

They werejust that- rumors.

Klimt's been linked with almost every woman in Vienna.

Except me.

We werejust leaving. Take our table, ifyou like.

- See you soon. - What a shame you're leaving.

S0 nice to see you both. l'll be late home.

Two coffees, please.

There isjust one thing I want you to promise me before we marry.

Everything else is perfect.

And what is that one thing?

Would it be possible foryou to think of my music...

as yours from now on?

I don't understand.

Well, what do you think our life would be like...

if both of us are composers?

Gustav, it would be a wonderful life...

filled with music- yours and mine.

What is it? Whafs happened?

He asked ifl would give up my life for him.

He's speaking metaphorically.

N0, Mama, he's speaking honestly.

But what can he possibly mean?

He says ifwe marry, l'll have to give up composing.

I never thought my acting career mattered that much.

Not that your father actually asked me to give up the stage.

Itjust happened that way.

But what are you saying, Mama? You're sorry you married my father?

N0. Nothing quite as simple as that.

- L'm saying-- - Anna, it's getting late.

L'll be ready in a moment.

Perhaps what l'm saying is that...

men and women are different.

D0 you think one of us could ask anyone...

to give up something so important?

Of course not. We know what it is to relinquish part of ourselves.

Two husbands, two children-

Their lives become our lives.

One day we realize we are only halfawake...

but it's too late.

But what can I do? What should I do?

I love him, Mama.

You are very young.

Y0u'll find another lover.

Nothing will ever replace your music.

Thank you for copying out my music so quickly, Almschi.

- What did you think? - The songs are very beautiful, but-

But?

They're so tragic.

Ruckert wrote those poems after his two children died.

Yes, but why when our children are 50--

I don't know.

My music isn't German. How could it be?

L'm an exile three times over.

A Czech amongst Austrians...

an Austrian amongst Germans...

and ajew no matter where I am.

But you're a Christian now, Gustav.

Did you forget that?

L'm a Christian because my career depends upon it.

No cross, no concerts.

- What did you think? - Second violin came in too early.

- And the horns were- - It was wonderful.

- I hope y0u'll join us for dinner. - For dinner, of course.

It was fantastic.

- Congratulations. - Thank you.

Justine. Thank you.

Gustav, it was so good.

What an evening!

Strauss loved it.

He congratulated me over and over again at dinner.

Pauline didn't say a word...

which means that she missed the mistake in the first movement.

Almschi, my darling, it was a wonderful evening.

Good night.

Look at these. just arrived from Steiners.

S0 beautiful. The man is a genius.

More shirts, Gustav? l've been doing the accounts.

Oh, Putsi! What a clever mama you have, huh?

She's a mathematician too, huh?

Hey, sweetheart.

There once was a beaut/fu/g/r/

Who /0 ved herpapa t0 give hera wh/r/

She was a total delight though ever s0 slight

And he /0 ved eve/y dark, shiny cur/

- I shall be late for the rehearsal. - Gustav, you won't be late.

Good-bye, Maria. Good-bye, Anna.

Smile for me, Almschi...

so that I may carry it with me all day.

I told her, Frau Mahler, to leave you alone, but she insisted.

It's taken me five years to get his accounts in order.

He knows nothing about money. Nothing.

It flies out of the house to his sister...

his parents, his whole family.

And I can't afford to buy clothes for myself.

You're being unreasonable, Alma.

Am I? I thought you'd understand.

I do, but there are responsibilities you agree to accept.

Gustav's work must come first.

You can't expect him to worry about the details ofdaily life.

When would he have the time to compose?

When would he have the time to compose?

I remember when you cared more about his being ajew...

than about his compositions.

I decide who is ajew and who isn't.

Gustav has a great career, darling.

You have a home, a famous husband, wonderful children.

You've managed the finances so well, paid back his debts.

Soon you will have your new dress...

and anything else you want.

And it will be too late.

Breathe deeply.

The steam will help clear your chest, Maria.

That's my darling.

As deep as you can.

Deeper, darling.

There's no need to examine me, Herr Doctor.

I can tell you myselfthat my heart is irreparably broken.

When was the last time you were examined, Herr Mahler?

I don't know. What difference does it make?

Herr Mahler, has your doctor in Vienna ever told you...

that you have a congenital heart defect?

Nonsense. I am perfectly healthy.

Nevertheless, an infection, pneum0nia-

Thank you for your advice. Please, allow me.

I feel much healthier today.

I can't imagine why. Buttermilk and lettuce.

I came hereto recuperate from my operation, not to starve to death.

And how long have you been here, Frau Mahler?

A week.

L'm sure it seems much longer.

And do you find the therapy beneficial?

Not yet.

You fainted.

That can happen when you come out of the hot spring into the colder air.

It was so peaceful.

It felt almost... like dying.

You are one of the doctors?

Oh, no. l'm a guest here too.

You must be cold. Let me get you a blanket.

The sun feels good.

In the absence ofany real drinks, can I get you a glass ofwater?

You're very kind.

L've missed being taken care of.

- Herr? - Gropius.

May I have this dance, Frau Mahler?

S0, you must be in collusion with Dr. Baum.

L'm not sure what you mean.

Dr. Baum said I must not sit and brood any longer...

and that I must dance every evening.

L'd be honored to become part of the cure, Frau Mahler.

Would you really, Herr Gropius?

Dancing is one of the two things I do well.

- And what is the other? - l'm an architect.

Ah, a dancer and an architect.

There must be other things at which you excel, Herr Gropius.

Almschi, my darling.

You look radiant.

Are you going to die too?

Someday, darling.

But not till l'm very, very, very old.

And when you die, what happens? D0 you have any friends?

I don't know. Perhaps you do. Let's not talk-

I will have finished rehearsal at 6:15.

Which means l'll be home at 6:35.

But l'll calLjust in case.

- In case ofwhat, Gustav? - In case it's later.

Good day. Would you like the mail, or should I ring for Frau Mahler?

N0, no. l'll take it.

Thank you.

Is Papa old?

Well, older than I am.

Does that mean he's going to die soon?

Darling, you mustn't worry about me and Papa.

L'm never sick. You know that.

Then why did you g0 away?

Because I was sad.

We miss Maria, don't we?

Herr Mahler?

The orchestra is waiting.

Alma?

I have a letter for you.

The writer accidentally addressed it to Herr Mahler...

rather than Frau Mahler.

Perhaps you would like me to read it to you.

“My most darling, precious Alma.

I know that we promised not to see each other...

once you returned to Vienna, but I miss you so much.

I can neither eat nor sleep.

I can only hope that you miss your...

medicine...

as much as I do.

I know in my heart that neither of us will be totally...

cured...

until we're together permanently.”

I could g0 on...

but I am sure you know who it's from.

You drove me to him.

You bullied me into giving up everything for you.

You frustrated my ambition.

You stifled me, kept me a virtual prisoner in this house.

You have crushed my spirit, Gustav.

You've caused me nothing but pain.

- That's not true. - lt's true.

You care for nothing but your music.

You never remembered my birthday...

our anniversary.

I loved you, Alma. I loved our children.

Yes, you loved our children.

But you used me.

You used me as your assistant and your accountant...

and your servant.

I hate you.

I hate you and yourjewish music.

L*$

You're free to g0, Alma.

But I hope you decide to stay.

Come with me.

I can't.

But you want to.

He needs me.

He's already lost Maria.

He'd die ifhe lost me too.

He's accepted a position out of the country.

I have to g0 with him. He's ill.

You're not his nurse.

L'm his wife.

N0 matter what, I made a commitment.

He's Gustav Mahler.

I love you, Alma.

I know.

But I have to g0 with him.

You must understand that.

I understand, but I can't accept it.

L'm sorry.

I can 't believe it's been four months since we arrived

/'m very lone/y in New York.

/'m almost complete/y isolated...

except for the small German community.

Gustav, you're early.

I have something for you.

Here.

It will be different this time, Almschi.

It will be better.

Things are diff/cult for Gusta v as well

Fidelio and Don Giovanni were we// received...

but the critics were hostile to Gusta v's own compositions

The Philharmonic board has demanded he choose more popu/arprograms.

Natural/y, he refused

/'m concerned for Gusta v's health.

He hasn 't been wel/ since Mar/a 's death.

He 's forbidden anyone to mention her name.

/'/n trying t0 persuade him t0 return t0 Vienna.

/'m s0 weary.

I d0 miss you, Wa/ten

Y0u'll have plenty of suitors after l'm gone, Almschi...

with your youth and your beauty.

Perhaps I won't g0 after all.

Frau Mahler, l'm sorry.

I didn't expect you here. I thought you were at the-

I don't have to g0 to the cemetery to remember him.

Anna.

Whafs wrong, darling?

Will you g0 away again, like you did when Maria died?

N0, no, my love.

L'm much stronger now than I was then.

This is Oskar Kokoschka.

L've commissioned him to paint my portrait.

Herr Kokoschka, I believe we've already met.

Not quite.

L'm so happy we could finally meet, Frau Gropius.

And why is that?

Well, Walter and I have been friends for some time now...

and of course, l've heard so much about your extraordinary family.

S0 you're interested in architecture, I presume?

Very much so.

Which of the Gropius Design buildings do you like best?

Well, it's hard to say. I like them all.

The Museum ofArts and Crafts in Berlin, perhaps...

designed by Waltefs great-uncle?

Yes, that's lovely.

- Lovely? - Strong.

It has such beautiful lines.

I think you are more informed about music, Frau Mahler...

than you are about architecture.

You know everything about artists' studios. Your father--

Was a painter. And a much tidier one than you.

- Where do you want me? - Over here.

The light is perfect. S0 is the subject.

From what l've seen ofyour work...

you don't flatter your subjects, Herr Kokoschka.

Well, any fool can draw a likeness. A camera can capture that.

L'm interested in thoughts...

desires, motives.

You're the Freud ofviennese painters.

Would you like to see your stepfathefs portrait?

Not really.

How wonderful.

You've actually managed to capture the soul of the greedy impostor.

- Every day this week. - What did you say?

L'm concerned about Alma.

She's off to Kokoschka's studio again.

Exactly where I went every day when he was painting my portrait.

Yes, but that was different.

N0 need to worry about Oskar. He's a wild man.

Not her type at all.

Besides, ifthe Balkans keep heating up...

we'll have more pressing things to worry about.

Come in.

I haven't seen her for a month.

She was very affected by Gustav's death, as you know.

Yes, but she has great powers of recuperation.

Can't you keep still? I don't like my subjects to move all the time.

Then l'll leave, and you can draw an apple.

Well, no wonder your father painted only landscapes.

What are you reading?

Sigmund Freud, the Interpretation 0f Dreams.

D0 you believe what he says?

I do and I don't. Gustav saw him once.

Because you drove him mad, no doubt.

N0 doubt.

S0 why did he?

- Why did who do what, Oskar? - Why did Mahler see him?

Because I did drive him a bit crazy, I suppose.

He thought I might run offwith another man.

But you didn't.

Freud told Gustav I w0uldn't leave him...

because he reminded me of my father.

And he was old enough to be your father.

Yes, but he was a very vital man and a brilliant composer.

And this lover ofyours, was he as vital as Mahler?

I didn't say he was my lover.

You didn't have to.

He was attentive.

An old man too?

N0. He was younger than I.

And he didn't ask childish questions like you, and he wasn't s0-

Totally uncouth?

Sorry, Oskar.

I seem to have this terribly aggressive tendency...

to grab the genitals of uncouth men.

I wonder what Freud would make of that.

- Anna asked me ifyou- - lfl sketched anyone but you.

How could you know that, Uncle Oskar?

L'm a mind reader.

But I can only ready your mothefs mind, no one else's.

- Is that true, Mama? - I don't know. Perhaps it is.

And I think she can-

Sometimes read Uncle Oskafs mind, too.

You're making a mistake, Alma.

It won't be the first, and it won't be the last either, Mama.

As Gustav Mahlefs widow...

it would be more appropriate ifyou and Anna stayed here.

As Gustav Mahlefs widow...

I now have the luxury of living anywhere I choose.

Will Uncle Oskar come to live with us, Mama?

N0, darling.

Uncle Oskar has his own place...

but he'll be spending a lot of time with us.

People will talk.

Oh, Mama, they're already talking.

You've allowed that man to hypnotize you.

It's I who have hypnotized him.

Why the sudden interest in propriety?

L'm certainly not asking you to live a lie.

But flaunting that relati0nship-

a man of no background, no family--

You have no right to lecture me.

My father wasn't in his grave before you made love to his assistant.

Waiting three years to marry him doesn't make you more proper.

Cruelty doesn't become you.

Neither does false modesty.

I won't have that here to remind me ofhim.

L'm sorry you feel that way.

Send him back to your mothefs.

N0. She wasn't married to Gustav. I was.

Should I parade my former lovers in front ofyou, invite them...

to the opera and dinner, and act as ifthere was nothing between us?

D0 whatever you like. As for Gustav, he was a part of my life.

- He always will be. - He didn't love you the way I do.

Would he stop working in the middle of the day to make love to you?

He had no time for that.

But time is the money of love!

She'll kill you ifyou're not careful.

Perhaps even ifyou are.

Oh, l'd kill her, Mama.

Are you willing to throw away your life, your art, for an obsession?

Maybe I am.

My peace offering.

It's exquisite.

Am I still welcome here?

Uncle Oskar! You've come to play with me after all.

Look, I brought you something.

It's beautiful. Thank you.

I promised to take you to the park, didn't I?

Yes, you did.

And a gentleman never breaks a promise, does he?

Aren't you a gentleman, Uncle Oskar?

In my way, I am.

L'm going to look in the mirror.

After lunch, we'll g0 to the park.

I promise not to bejealous ofyou any longer, Gustav.

L'll love you as Almi does.

You're part of her, so y0u'll be part of me also.

- Alma, why Oskar? - And not you, you mean?

I think I gave up a longtime ago. Still, one always hopes.

- What are you two whispering about? - Klimt says you're a wild man.

I was a wild man once.

Now you're merely dormant, like a volcano. Thank you.

Was Italy glorious? We missed you while you were on sabbatical.

Italy was glorious. The women! Guarded by men with knives.

Red wine, please.

Well, l'm absolutely delighted that we're all here tonight.

Oskar, did you know that Alma met Gustav Mahler in my apartment?

Sometimes I wake up and still hear his music...

almost as if he were in the apartment playing it himself.

Luckily, Gustav's ghost is confined to the music room.

L'd hate having to share Alma's bed with him.

- What is it? - You distanced yourselffrom me.

You were indiscreet. Can't you understand?

L'm notjust any widow. l'm Gustav Mahlefs widow.

You've made him into a saint. The longer he's dead...

the more perfect he becomes.

Anyway, your friends all know about us. Everyone knows.

There are boundaries. Some things should be left unsaid.

Not by me. Marry me, Almi.

- Someday. - When?

When you paint your masterpiece.

Then you can afford to keep me, darling.

I certainly can't afford to keep you.

Stop here for a moment.

Whafs happened?

The archduke and the duchess were killed in Sarajevo by a terrorist!

A terrorist? An artist, more likely.

Really, Oskar. lt'sjust for a few days.

I can't bear being here without you.

Good-bye, darling.

L've painted my masterpiece.

The Bride 0f the I/l/ind

And I sold it for enough money to keep us for a year, maybe more.

Look, Alma. lt's ofyou.

Alma and me. You, my “bride of the wind.“

Despite all the turmoil in the world...

here are two people who will love each other forever.

We have a small fortune.

At least to me it's a fortune.

L've missed you every minute.

- Whafs wrong? - Nothing.

You went to Tobelbad to meet someone.

N0, I didn't.

Who?

Let g0 of my arm.

Ifyou don't keep your promise to marry me...

I swear l'll kill you.

- Who did you g0 there to meet? - N0 one.

- Why did you suddenly leave Vienna? - Let g0, and l'll tell you.

L'm pregnant.

Alma, why did you g0 to Tobelbad?

Just to think about it.

And l've made my decision. l'm not going to have the baby.

This is my child, Alma.

It's my child too.

I hope they're happy with their war now.

Halfthe men in Europe must have been killed.

All those lovers, gone forever.

Uncle Oskar!

Look, Mama. Where's Uncle Oskar going?

To Russia, darling.

Where did he get the money to buy himselfa horse and a commission?

He sold Bride of the I/l/ind for enough money for the commission...

and Dr. Loos put up the money for his horse.

To your safety, Oskar.

You sh0uld've used your money for love, not war.

Don't say that too loudly. I don't want him to change his mind.

It was always Oskar/Alma, Alma/Oskar.

It stifled me. I c0uldn't breathe.

Uncle Oskarwill be home soon, darling. Don't worry.

Would you like a pastry? G0 inside and pick the richest one.

Not many to choose from, l'm afraid.

Did you know that your old friend, Walter Gropius...

is an officer on the Western front?

He was decorated twice.

L'm writing a piece about him for the paper.

Welcome to Hotel Imperial, madame.

Alma, quite a surprise hearing from you.

How did you know I was coming to Berlin on leave?

Well, I--

I heard, by chance.

L've missed you, Walter.

I w0uld've written, but the war made it imp0ssible-

The war was not as formidable a barrier as your mother.

She didn't approve of me.

She didn't approve of the situation.

You were a married woman when we met.

L'm not a married woman now.

Is this the house where Frau Mahler lives?

Are you seeking employment?

N0. Revenge.

Really? And you are?

Iam the mother of Oskar Kokoschka.

Tell Frau Mahler I have a pistol in here.

Tell her l'm waiting for her.

Alma? You've heard?

I saw the newspaper today.

Oskafs dead, killed on the Eastern front.

That's his mother down there.

I was never popular with mothers.

Poor thing.

- She's crazy. - Perhaps not.

It's not every man whds shot in the head...

bayoneted, then lives to tell about it.

My God.

You've kept the baby.

L've died and been reborn twice.

Oskar, you've been gone over a year.

But the first six months doesn't count. I didn't know who I was.

Then it all came back, and I thought of nothing but you.

More than a year.

You had real love, but you threw it away.

I had to.

You should have come home first.

Then I c0uld've told you about Herr Gropius.

Still I think it was the thought of her that kept me alive.

She went from thejew to the peasant.

Now she marries a proper German...

so people will forget about her reputation, no doubt.

You're better off without her.

You're better off without her.

L'm not interested in creating for the rich.

But the poor can't afford your fees, my darling.

Not ifwe continue to overload buildings with outdated romanticism.

We have to be more functional, get rid ofall that ornamentation.

That will certainly change the look ofvienna.

Architects should collaborate with artists and craftsmen.

These sketches ofyou are indecent, Alma. Please take them down.

You've become so prudish, Walter.

I gladly accept living with Mahlefs music...

but I can't accept living with these reminders ofyour-

your association with Kokoschka.

- Oskafs a great artist. - Take them down.

S0 much for collaboration.

Franz, I didn't know you were on the front.

I wasn't. l'm afraid this is from the demonstration.

Horrible people, Socialists.

L'm glad the police were there in force, but...

I didn't know the army was called in, as well.

They weren't. I was one of the demonstrators, Frau Gropius.

- You can't possibly be serious. - Of course l'm serious.

One day we'll overthrow the monarchy.

You are insane.

Alma, my dear, may I introduce Franz Werfel to you.

L'm a great admirer ofyour writings.

- Then you forgive my politics. - There's nothing to forgive.

War brings out the worst in men, but also the best.

You've written some of the most moving poetry l've ever read.

You must be very proud.

Proud, but not very successful, l'm afraid.

That will come.

Maybe I should have been a musician...

a composer like Verdi or Puccini.

Ifonly l'd written Tosca or Un Ba/lo in Maschera.

Herr Werfel, a man ofyour intelligence and sensitivity...

should choose to emulate Wagner, not Verdi.

Verdi's passionate, emotional, ecstatic.

Wagnefs cool, stoic, abstract.

N0. I prefer passion...

heat, love, ecstasy.

And Walter, I suppose, was the cleansing of the palate...

after Gustav and Oskar.

The perfect Arian.

What will you call me one day? The perfectjew?

Never.

You're far from perfect, Franz.

- Unlike your husband. - Unlike my husband.

The trouble is perfection is so terribly, terribly boring.

I was here once with Mahler along time ago, before we were married.

- He still haunts you. - Yes and no.

Perhaps a part of me is still married to the illusion...

but I think the man is finally buried.

Oh, then l'll plant flowers around his grave.

L'll invite Gropius tojoin me and-

What about Oskar?

- D0 we have to include Oskar? - Yes.

And Klimt and Zemlinsky.

My darling, you've produced a legion of lovers.

Perhaps my only accomplishment.

50 wherek Os/(ar? / 'm starved

He's with that woman. Where e/se?

I heard he paraded all over town with her today.

I heard that too.

L'm sure the rumors are false.

He can't possibly be back with Alma.

She's left Gropius, and she's with some writer.

That was yesterday.

Almschi, my darling.

Ladies and gentlemen...

our apologies for being so late.

Why, I think they like you, darling.

Let's sit down to dinner. l'm starving.

SOUP-

Thank you.

D0 you take her to bed with you, Oskar?

Of course.

Perhaps someday you'd like to try a real woman.

Oh, but she's real.

Very real, and passionate.

The most passionate.

She's the love of my life.

You know what I like most about her, Oskar?

It's that she's so agreeable.

And she's very musical. Did you know that?

She was the most beautiful girl in Vienna.

The most beautiful.

You're still in love with her. I withdraw my invitation.

Unlock the door, please, Alma!

- Have you finished the chapter? - Almost.

You're a great writer, Franzl, but you're a lazy man.

Call me when you're finished.

L'll be waiting for you.

Please, open the door!

L'll work on the novel later.

Why won't you marry Uncle Franz, Mama?

- Perhaps I will someday, Anna. - When?

- D0 you love him so much? - He loves you so much.

What difference does it make? lt's as ifwe're already married.

Is he going to leave us? Are you going to send him away?

Whatever made you think that?

I haven't given you much reason to believe l'd stay with him...

or any other man, have I?

I found some ofyour music, Alma.

You shouldn't have stopped composing. Your songs are-

Immature.

S0 much time has passed. l'm too old to start again.

Your music is wonderful.

Is it?

Isn't it too complex?

It's you, Alma.

lt's passionate. lt's charming.

It's exciting.