Original subtitles

CONFIDENCE

Story / Screenplay

Editor / Sound

Production Design / Costume Design

Producer / Cinematographer / Director

What should one know about the kind of fear

caused by the sound of aeroplanes and bombs?

One usually feels a certain anguish and fear

at the droning sound of aeroplanes

or the ghostly noises of bombs falling.

By becoming familiar with the sound of aeroplanes

and with the expectation of bombs one can be relieved of such fear.

In flight, a plane makes a loud booming sound

but one can't accurately guess

the number of aeroplanes merely from the strength of the sound.

Other circumstances can be misleading.

A low-flying plane can mislead one into thinking it's a flight formation.

The clouds and wind can have the same effect.

One can recognize types of aeroplane by their engine sounds,

but one would need considerable practice to do so.

Thus, one rarely has reliable information

about the type of plane flying

when based on simple human hearing, especially without sufficient practice.

The sound of falling bombs is unpleasant for most.

Yet what is it really?

Bombs, when released, accelerate towards the earth,

causing such a sound effect.

We saw a fine match

between the Hungarian and German Army teams.

A number of Austrian players are among the German team

playing against the Hungarian soldiers.

The spirited match ended in a 2:2 draw.

Let go of me!

You can't go home. They're searching your flat.

Your husband had to disappear.

- Why? - Please don't ask stupid questions.

Have you anywhere to stay tonight? At the other end of town?

- With whom? - You can't go home.

You know of your husband's contacts in the movement, don't you?

- No, I don't know. - Good. That was a good answer.

From now on you must always answer everybody like this. Understand?

What if I had come from the other end of the road?

We were expecting you. So you won't let the cat out of the bag.

What cat? I can't make head or tail out of what you're saying.

Anything might give him away. So where can you go?

I don't know. I don't know. Nowhere.

Then go to St. Ferenc Hospital in an hour's time.

21, Széher St. Find Dr. Czakó in the surgical department.

You're a refugee from Erdély and have been hiding at a relative's place.

Your little girl is in the country, for safety.

You're awaiting news from your husband.

That's why you arrived here today.

Your address: Erdősor Rd. 5, Ujpest.

Your name: Mrs. János Biró, née Katalin Simó.

You were born in Kolozsvár, parents deceased. You're 29.

Your husband, János Biró, is 38, chemical research worker.

- The child's name is Judit. - Judit?

When you've memorized that, you'" go downtown. Take a tram at West Station.

Don't ask anyone any questions, I've drawn you a map.

It's a one-story house, brick facade, you can't miss it.

- You ring the bell. - What do I say? Who am I looking for?

- Your husband will open the door. - My husband?

Yes, János Biró, and you'll say, "Thank God, the child's all right."

That's the first thing you'll say, "Thank God, the child's all right."

- Do you have any children? - A little girl. She's 5.

We sent her to my mother's. Judit.

I don't know how she is, there've been no letters for two weeks.

You say, "Thank God, the child's all right." Please repeat it.

Thank God the child's all right...

- Will you tell my husband where I am? - Of course.

You must face reality. You won't be alone.

- Exercise a little self-control. - When will I get news of my husband?

- As soon as possible. - Where he is staying...?

If I'm right, you know how to draw.

-I studied industrial drawing. - Very good.

Now I'll leave you to study it.

Please give me all the papers you have on you,

as well as any family photographs.

It wouldn't do to have them find them on you.

Here you are.

Katalin Simó, I'm Katalin Simó, not Sikó, not Sivó, but Simó.

Katalin Simó. I was born in 1915, 11 December, in Koloz...

Kolozsvár, my God...

My name is Mrs. János Biró, née Katalin Simó,

born in Kolozsvár, 11 December 1915.

Excuse me, some clothes.

My name is Mrs. János Biró, János Biró.

I am Mrs. János Biró, Mrs. János Biró.

I am Katalin Simó, born 11 December 1915.

My daughter Judit was born in February 1938.

My mother's name... I can't memorize this. Erzsébet Farkas.

My father, György Simó, Erzsébet Farkas.

Please go down to the X-ray department at once.

I have to give an explanation to the people working here.

- Mrs. János Biró? - Yes.

- Maiden name? - Katalin Simó.

- Born? - 11 December 1915 in Kolozsvár.

The child?

Thank God the child is all right.

- Everything is all right? - Yes. Thank God the child is all right.

Well, you've come at last, my dear.

My husband has been waiting for you impatiently.

You must be tired and hungry.

A hot bath will do you good. What should I call you, dear?

- Katalin. - My husband should be here soon.

We could all eat together.

This is our room. It used to be their son's but he's on the front line now.

His fiancée lives in the next street and often comes over.

She's very inquisitive about their room. She's a bit of a Nazi sympathizer.

- So don't have long chats with her. - Yes.

The door opens out onto the courtyard. This is the bathroom door.

There's another door where the old people are.

Living room and kitchen in one and a bathroom.

We could go through there too but it's better we go via the yard.

This wall is adjacent with the old people's room.

Honest working people but best not to talk in front of them either.

By the way, welcome.

I suppose you know what's most important.

Yes. Mrs. János Biró, née Katalin Simó, in Kolozsvár,

11 December 1915.

It's just as well that my real name is Katalin too.

I am sure you must have some news of my husband.

It's better for both of us if we know as little as possible about each other.

But I suppose they must have tom you that.

Did they send any messages with you?

No.

Then, I'll wait. You cannot leave the house without my permission.

But I simply must know what's happened to my husband.

We didn't know a thing this morning.

I must look around the flat, perhaps he's left a note for me.

I'll only go after dark. I'll use the back stairs,

through the surgery. My husband's a doctor.

You're not going anywhere. I don't know who you are

or why they've sent you here but I accept your presence as a fact

and you must do the same. Try and accept the circumstances.

From here to there is yours. Why don't you unpack?

I shan't bother you if I don't have to. I'll get some firewood.

May I see your papers? I just want to see what they're like.

Will you test me?

The water should be warm enough soon.

- This isn't exactly the Hotel des Bains! - I was given the suitcase too.

I'm sorry, but we must behave naturally because of the old folk.

I'll act natural.

Hurry up. We've been invited for dinner.

Yes.

You're still young. Three times I've lived through this,

people rendered homeless because of politics.

Half the country are refugees

while the other half either chase them or lie low and wait.

Your soup will get cold, you talk too much.

One should be happy with what one can.

Be happy that your belly's full, that the young lady has arrived

and that the child is all right.

I haven't even asked you, what's her name?

Judit. She's got lovely long hair.

- The main thing is that she's safe. - Yes, that's the main thing.

I only wish mine was that old, he'd be out of this horror.

You did guite well! But you shouldn't go into details.

What details?

I might have said that the child's hair is blonde and short.

Don't tell anyone anything, it's none of their business.

Such small details can lead to great danger.

Every word you utter might offer essential proof to the informer.

- But they're sheltering us. - They're not.

They're workers who rent their rooms to refugees from Erdély for money.

They have nothing to do with us, but with their neighbours they do.

That semi-Nazi girl is almost their daughter-in-law.

Everything you do or say must be with a possible informant in mind.

Don't leave anything lying around, don't write anything down.

Don't give any details of yourself.

And so on...

You can turn in now. I'll go out till you're ready.

Did you sleep well? Did you count all the corners?

I'm sorry.

I waited with the breakfast till you woke but I'm hungry now.

Did I sleep that long? Forgive me.

Doesn't matter. You were tired.

How can I get news of my husband? Maybe he doesn't know where I am.

He'll find you when the time is ripe.

Hurry, my dear. They're selling potatoes two streets up.

5 kg per person, there's hardly any left already.

- Where? - As you go out, on your left.

We discussed it yesterday. You can't go out without my permission.

And you queue with all the women of the neighbourhood in this.

- It's only a nurse's cloak. - Dead right it is.

But you look nothing like a nurse.

The clothes aren't hers, how did she get them?

Why can't you understand, everything has significance?

Your face, your hairstyle, your dress. They tie their scarves differently here.

- What do you mean by all this? - Nothing.

I'm just warning you that this could cost us our lives.

This is not the medical school ball.

Tell me, are you sure you haven't got any papers

or photographs still on you which might be dangerous,

- a memento which is identifiable? - No, I have nothing.

Will you please empty your bag?

Your husband?

I know that I mustn't answer now, so let's say my brother, all right?

Burn it, you should have done it yesterday when you came here.

And this too.

Please, this is the only photo I have of my little girl.

Why can't this be our little girl? After all we have a little girl too. Judit.

Have you got any children?

I beg you, don't burn this picture, not this one.

- You can burn the other one. - All right, this is our child.

As for the other one, burn it.

- Give it to me. - Do you have children?

- Yes, Judit. Thank God she's all right. - I'm being serious.

At least answer me this one question.

- Thank God the child is all right. -I want to know if you have any children.

I have.

Please help me get news of my daughter.

- At least of her! Please. - Then, you tell me how.

If only my husband were here.

Wake up! Where's your husband?

My husband? You're my husband, János Biró.

I'm Mrs. János Biró, Katalin Simó.

Don't talk rubbish. Where's your husband?

Here. I'm Mrs. János Biró.

All right. Go back to sleep!

Good morning.

Why did you do that horrible thing in the night?

What?

Look, we are both in a dark forest.

That's why I have to know if I can let you walk behind me.

If I don't trust you, you can't come with me on patrol.

I'd kill you the moment I notice the slightest suspicion.

I'll kill you so you can't kill me. Do you understand?

I keep dreaming about my son.

He comes through the gate and stands by this door

and I shake in fear in case someone has seen him here

because then they'll know that he deserted.

He stands there a while, looks through the window and leaves.

And then I'm relieved and wake up. Why do I dream this?

My husband is restless too in the night, he wakes up.

Then I wake up too. It took me a while to go back to sleep last night.

The old woman told me you've been complaining that I'm restless at night,

that I wake up and wake you up too. What's the good of telling you?

What's that got to do with the old woman and her neighbours

and via them God knows who else, how I sleep?

My underwear is in front of you. Are you going to tell her about it too?

What they're like, how often I change them?

If I disturb you in your sleep, perhaps I snore,

though you'd be the first one to say so, rather than wake me up.

Tell me not to, give me a nudge.

And another thing.

The old woman tells me everything.

She feels that I belong to them a little by now.

Whatever you say to her, you can count as a message to me.

I'm sorry.

My wife told me you dream of your son a lot.

- What did she say? - The things you dream of, Aunty Irma.

One talks a lot of nonsense... we were cleaning peas.

- Leave it, I'll chop those logs up. - I'll have it done in a second.

Come quickly. Can't you understand? Don't loiter here.

How long has he been there? Who is he observing?

I've seen him before. How long has he been watching us?

He was following us a while back, yet no one was behind us.

This one's popped up out of the blue...

If I turn around suddenly, maybe he isn't even there.

I mustn't turn around, he's not coming.

That's all right. He was simply waiting for someone, what a joke.

He was just a pedestrian, you're beginning to see things.

I was thirsty.

Don't I know you from way back?

I don't know, I don't remember you.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Tell me, would you at least help me get news of my husband?

There's a lieutenant looking for you.

- My husband's not at home. - I told him but he said he'll wait.

- Pali Szilasi. - Good day, lieutenant. Mrs. János Biró.

I'm looking for your husband.

I've known him for a long time but we lost touch a while back.

We live in such an age, lieutenant. People lose touch.

These are terrible times, but it'" soon be over.

It can't last much longer now.

- When will your husband be home? - I don't know.

Your husband's a wonderful man, I've known him since I was a kid.

- I learnt a lot from him. - Yes. My husband is very attractive.

You're a lucky woman, but he is even luckier with you.

That's very kind of you.

The lieutenant has been waiting for you for a while.

I'm sure he wouldn't say no to a cup of tea.

The lieutenant is very smart. Isn't it a bit risky?

This is my safety, people respect uniform religiously,

and the women go crazy about it.

I don't know where János has been hiding you.

It takes a war to enable me to court my best friend's wife.

So far, I've only seen a photo of you.

- Where? - János showed me one a long time ago.

I can just imagine what sort of photo that was.

All photos of me were terrible.

I couldn't have recognized you by them.

- I think you have to go. - Yes.

- When will we see you again? - When he can come.

He's forgotten...

He didn't forget it, he's the one we've been waiting for.

But you were faultless.

Another exam? And were you both satisfied?

It must have been entertaining.

Or perhaps you're afraid of me too?

Where have you been the last few years?

Or now on 15 October, or yesterday,

that you don't wonder about anything or anyone?

I don't know what's in your head, but as far as I'm concerned

there's no place left for innocence and naivety in my life.

Our only chance is to be prepared to face any and every betrayal.

- Is that the way you like it? - What?

Did you have a quarrel? Don't cry.

I see you're both so tight-lipped.

That's worse than shouting at each other.

Are you worried about the little girl? Everyone is worried.

- Why are you crying? - Oh, my God, why?

I don't know what's happening to my child, or where my husband is.

"You're not alone!"

- Do you know this writing? - Yes, it's my husband's.

"Darling, I'm safe. I'll come for you soon.

"It hurts me too that we had to part so suddenly..."

Thank you, you're a good man after all.

Well, now we must burn this.

Be careful, your husband's got someone, I know.

No, it's not true...

Come on, quieten down, wake up.

Calm down, you've been shouting in your sleep.

Would you like some water?

Calm down now. Lie back and go back to sleep.

Tamás... Tamás...

- There you are. - Thank you.

That blonde lady next to the window sent you this.

"It seems human cowardice has no limits"

- Aren't you feeling well? - I'm sorry.

Don't you recognize me? It must be my hair. I dyed it blonde.

But I thought that this way I won't look so obviously...

It suits you.

You cannot stay anywhere for long. After a while you have to escape again.

Just one night, could I come to your place, just for a night.

I can't go on looking for a place. I don't want to die like a dog.

I'm sorry, but you must have got me mixed up with someone else.

Of course, I haven't seen you since I got my nose fixed.

But don't you really recognize me?

I know that my face looks different with this nose.

Two years ago, I thought it might save my life.

What's your name?

Bözsi. Don't you remember? I sat next to the window in form 2.

Bözsi what?!

No, you don't want to recognize me.

What Bözsi?!

She's guite clever, having her face changed. Now let's hear her name.

Deutsch? Löblin? Maisler? Wippler? Ehrlich? Bettelsheim? Sonnenschein?

I'm Bözsi Tóth and you go and fuck yourself.

You can all go and fuck yourselves. Base, coward pretenders.

I hope God will treat you the way you are treating us!

And I hope your children will despise you!

Why are you crying? What's happened?

- Where were you? - I was busy.

Who was that woman who followed you to the toilet?

She's in hiding and has nowhere to sleep.

- Do you know her? - No.

She said she was a schoolfriend but I can't remember her.

- Are you sure? You've never seen her? - I don't know.

- And the man who spoke to you? - Nobody spoke to me at all.

- Why did you start running away? - I don't know.

They why did you turn around. Who were you waiting for?

- I didn't know what happened to you. - You got a scare.

- Yes. - Why?

From where do you know that man I was with?

- I don't know him. - You've never seen him before?

No. I did a Red Cross nursing course last year.

My husband insisted on it and there, one sees so many people...

Maybe...

That woman begged me to put her up for the night.

She could have come here. There are three beds.

- What did you say to her? -I don't know. It was dreadful.

- Keep your voice down. - I told her I couldn't help.

- Good. - Her life was at stake.

- We can't risk anything now. - I can't bear this.

- Who do you think I am? - Ouiet!

You treat me like a child not to be trusted,

that I don't need to know anything because I can't understand.

And if I ask too many questions, you must smack me like a child?!

- Who is it? - It's me. There's a raid.

They've closed off the whole area. They're looking for someone.

In the whole street, the gardens too.

Did you see anyone? Did anyone come here?

Then they're searching in vain. Go back to bed.

Keep your thoughts on the fact that we're refugees from Erdély

and nobody can be looking for us.

Our papers are in order and it would just be an unpleasant formality.

- Did you hear what I said? - Yes.

- I think I am terribly afraid. - So am I, it's natural.

But at least we can be afraid together.

That's it, they've caught him.

- Are you sure? - Yes, I think so.

Thank God!

We've escaped this time.

You're happy because you've escaped.

I'm sorry.

- Nice. - The room's brighter this way.

I think the cupboard was better against that wall.

It was a good sound barrier between the old folk and us.

We should keep our voices down in any case.

What are you looking at? My hair looks awful.

It's beautiful.

Beautiful you say? Well, what do you know?!

I look dreadful in these clothes. I like nice clothes. It's a joke, isn't it?

We are both full of complexes. But I like my complexes.

I feel quite comfortable with them.

What a fool I am!

I am married.

Yes, yes. I want you too, believe me.

My first lover! I've got a lover!

Good morning. How did you sleep?

- And you? - Very well.

- What did you dream about? - I can't remember.

You must have been facing the window, that's why you don't remember.

Breakfast is ready. Shall I bring yours here, or would you rather come out?

Good morning.

Sit down. I haven't had breakfast yet either.

I like having my tea standing up.

Do you want to take back what you've done?

If you don't want to remember last night you needn't.

Last night was beautiful. Thank you.

I love stroking your hand. Is that enough?

No, but I can't explain why it's not enough.

- Why did you clench your fist? - No reason. Instinct.

You're a coward. You're more of a coward than I am.

- I've decided not to kiss you. - Why?

I don't know, it's just that I can see myself from the outside.

Who can see you constantly the way you see yourself?

You can.

Really?

Do I look at you like that? I've come to love you, do you believe me?

Why should I believe her? She just wants to be certain

that she's attached me to herself, to make me give myself up.

Doesn't the fact that we made love mean anything to you?

- You're going too fast. - Really? Sorry.

Attention!

Turn away, they're filming us. Damn it, where's that Pali?

They are filming us.

And action!

- My respects, madam. - Watch out, they're filming.

Probably for the Wochenschau.

"Happy interlude on the Hungarian theater of war".

You'd have looked great. Young lovers defying hard times.

The Gestapo would have loved that film.

I'd have been a hit as the young allied officer. You have a letter.

- From who? - Your wife.

- Are these the ones? - Get the hell out of here.

Take my arm and don't look back.

Go down the street and buy something, anything.

I'll meet you at the tram stop. Go home if I'm not there.

Be sure you're not being followed. If you are, try to lose them.

There are houses with passageways by the East Station.

Christmas trees!

Christmas is the feast of love! Buy your Christmas trees now.

- What would you like? - Some paper and envelopes.

I was waiting for my husband by the Christmas tree seller.

Hoffmann. I am so glad to make your acquaintance too.

We studied chemistry together in Duisburg.

He disappeared in '33. I haven't heard of him since,

and suddenly here he is. Shall we go and sit down somewhere?

- We have a prior engagement. -I am free all day.

- We can't make it today. - Do you live nearby?

- No, the other end of town. - I'd like to see you one evening.

It would be good to have a quiet chat.

I haven't been able to put two normal words together

ever since this thing started.

One doesn't talk too much these days.

Would you have thought in '31 that this would come to pass?

At times I think, "God why have you forsaken us?"

It's laughable isn't it?

I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw your husband.

There's a woman queuing up by the bakery, officer.

She has no right to be on the streets. They had a pharmacy.

Have her taken away. There she is, a fugitive, in a blue coat.

Leave me alone, call a policeman.

What do you say to the world we live in.

What have we got to do with these things?

Let me write down your address quickly.

Szív utca 5 in the center of town.

- Day after tomorrow, in the evening. - We'll be expecting you.

- This is Lotte, my wife. - We've got a daughter, Judit.

Well, see you the day after tomorrow.

- Let's hurry. - We should warn that woman.

You expect me not to warn her?

Don't interfere. It might be provocation.

And let that poor woman be taken away?!

Get on!

Please go alone now. I have to see to something here.